Kile Smith
Composer“His voice is unlike any other”
—Craig Hella Johnson
News
Rapidly gaining national and international acclaim, the music of Kile Smith is hailed by critics, performers, and audiences for its emotional power, direct appeal, strong voice, and sheer beauty.
Kile receives the prestigious Independence Foundation 2018 Fellowship in the Arts to begin writing his first opera, The Book of Job, collaborating with two award-winning artists, conductor Donald Nally and director, librettist, and dramaturg Edward Sobel.
Donald Nally and The Crossing premiere and record Kile’s newest concert-length work The Arc in the Sky in June, a setting of texts by the minimalist, mystical writer Robert Lax, friend and influencer of Thomas Merton.
Craig Hella Johnson conducts Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble in Kile’s concert-length Canticle in January, along with a new Alleluia, recording these with Grammy-winning producer Blanton Alspaugh, and released Nov 2018. George Case conducts Boston Cecilia in the New England premieres of Canticle and Alleluia in March.
Multiple performances of The Consolation of Apollo, complete and excerpts, take place in 2018, the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 8, and 2019: Kansas City Chorale, Verdigris Ensemble (Dallas), Ars Nova Singers (Colorado), Red Shift (Vancouver, Baton Rouge), The 24 (UK premiere), Auckland Youth Choir, the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Charlotte Symphony Chamber Choir, Choral Arts Society (Washington, DC), Pa. Mus. Educators Assoc. District 11 Choir.
Lyric Fest releases an all–Kile Smith vocal CD, including his 45-minute cycle for mezzo and baritone, In This Blue Room.
The Denver Pro Chorale performs Where Flames a Word in May, and the Northwestern University Singers in June. The Estonian choir Voces Musicales releases a new recording of it in 2018. Kile’s new arrangement for choir, organ, and brass, Of the Father’s Love Begotten, premieres at Westminster Choir College Dec. 7 & 8, and will be published by GIA in its Westminster Choral Series.
The pioneering new-music group Relâche celebrates its 40th anniversary in June with Kile’s Adieu, Adieu, inspired by the late Romulus Franceschini: composer, jazz arranger, longtime stalwart of Relâche, and Kile’s friend and coworker at the Fleisher Collection. Also in June, Susquehanna performed again by the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra.
Choral Arts Philadelphia performs newly re-orchestrated sections of Vespers in January, for the forces with which Matthew Glandorf paired this, Bach’s Cantata No. 1, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern. The New York choral group Khorikos premieres Kile’s setting of the Robert Lax poem my son my son in November. The Arcadian Trio commissions Spirituals for Piano Trio for their 2018/19 season; a flute/organ commission, A Child’s Afternoon, for Anna and Erik Meyer, and other choral and chamber commissions are in the works. (Photo credit: A. J. Waltz)
Performances, events
4 Feb. O Thou Who Camest from Above, St. Margaret Mary, Westwood, Mass.
4 Feb. Meditation on Freu dich sehr, Kurt Knecht, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Kansas City
7 Feb. New York Choral Society, interviewing composer Frank Ticheli and conductor David Hayes for the East Coast premiere of the Ticheli Symphony No. 3 “The Shore,” New York Public Library
25 Feb. Red-tail and Hummingbird and Sonata a5: Steht auf, ihr lieben Kinderlein from Vespers, for brass quintet. Hot Air Music Festival, San Francisco
25 Feb. Holy Mountain. Holy Trinity Lutheran, Abington, PA
27 Feb. Reflection. Ethel Geist, AGO Tuesday Noon Organ Recital, Abington Presbyterian Church, Pa.
The Estonian choir Voces Musicales records Where Flames a Word for release in 2018.
2 Mar. Fanfare on Ein feste Burg. WWFM Piffaro concert broadcast
2 Mar. The Consolation of Apollo. Verdigris Ensemble, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Plano, TX
4 Mar. Come, Ye Sinners. St. John’s Anglican, Southampton, Pa.
4 Mar. Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit. Franklinville-Schwarzwald Männerchor. United Singers of Philadelphia Evening of Song, Canstatter Volksfest-Verein, Philadelphia
4 Mar. The Consolation of Apollo. Verdigris Ensemble, Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas
11 Mar. Canticle. Boston Cecilia
1 Apr. Behold, the Best, the Greatest Gift. Easter. Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia
8 Apr. Reflection. Edward Landin Organ Recital, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Pa.
April–May, 2 Easter–Trinity Sunday. Mass for Philadelphia. Holy Trinity Lutheran, Abington, Pa.
22 Apr. Rejoice in the Lamb. Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia
22 Apr. O Lord, Our Lord, Your Excellent Name. Hymn, Old First Reformed UCC, Philadelphia, Earth Day Service
27 Apr. “I am aware,” “Annie Lisle,” “Spirit of Freedom” from Plain Truths. Benjamin Flanders, Calvary Episcopal, Cincinnati
28 Apr. The Consolation of Apollo. Verdigris Ensemble, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Space Exhibit, Dallas
29 Apr. Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit. Franklinville-Schwarzwald Männerchor Spring Concert. Vereinigung Erzgebirge, Warminster, Pa.
5 May. Where Flames a Word. Denver Pro Chorale, Taylor Martin, cond.
6 May. Alleluia. Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia
14 May. Reflection. David Furniss. Philadelphia AGO Tuesday Noon Organ Recital, St. John UCC, Lansdale, Pa.
20 May. O Thou Who Camest from Above. Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia
20 May. O Helper Spirit. Holy Trinity Lutheran, Abington, Pa.
30 May. The Consolation of Apollo. The 24, University of York, Robert Hollingworth, cond. UK premiere
1 Jun. Where Flames a Word. Northwestern University Singers
3 Jun. Susquehanna. Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra
23 Jun. Adieu, Adieu. Relâche. Penn Museum, Widener Hall, 2:00
23–25 Jun. recording The Arc in the Sky. The Crossing, producer Adrian Peacock
27 Jun. Donald Nally lecture, “Choral Music of Kile Smith,” Westminster Choir College Conducting Institute
30 Jun. The Arc in the Sky. The Crossing
8 Jul. “When the stars begin to fall” from American Spirituals, Book Two. David Bennett, cello. Salem United Methodist, Wexford, Pa.
19 Aug. “When the stars begin to fall” from American Spirituals, Book Two. David Bennett, cello. Sixth Presbyterian, Pittsburgh
16 Sep. “Conversation in the Mountains” from Where Flames a Word. The Crossing, Philadelphia Fringe Festival
19 Sep. “Conversation in the Mountains” from Where Flames a Word. The Crossing, Park Avenue Armory, NYC
20 Sep. “Conversation in the Mountains” from Where Flames a Word. The Crossing, Park Avenue Armory, NYC
30 Sep. The Consolation of Apollo. Red Shift. Season premiere open rehearsal, Baton Rouge
11–13 Oct. The Consolation of Apollo. Red Shift, Trey Davis, cond. College Music Society Conference, Vancouver
13 Oct. The Stars Shine from The Consolation of Apollo. Auckland Youth Choir
20 Oct. The Stars Shine from The Consolation of Apollo. Choral Arts Society of Washington, two performances
20 Oct. Shall the Blessed Saints Surround Us. Lower Merion Baptist Church 210th Anniversary
28 Oct. Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice (Nun freut euch) prelude. Holy Trinity Lutheran, Abington, Pa.
28 Oct. The Word of God. St. John’s Anglican, Consecration and Dedication, Southampton, Pa.
28 Oct. Alleluia. Musica Concordia. Holy Trinity Lutheran, Abington, Pa.
28 Oct. The Arc in the Sky. The Crossing WRTI broadcast, 4 pm
11 Nov. The Stars Shine from The Consolation of Apollo. Westminster William Voices. Cathedral Basilica, Philadelphia
17 Nov. Yes, It’s Beautiful from The Consolation of Apollo. Southern California Vocal Association Honor Choir, Trey Davis.
6 Dec. Lecture: Handel and His Messiah. University of Pennsylvania Faculty/Staff Christian Fellowship Luncheon
7 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo. Ars Nova Singers. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Boulder
7 Dec. Of the Father’s Love Begotten. Westminster Choir College Readings & Carols, 8 pm
8 Dec. Of the Father’s Love Begotten. Westminster Choir College Readings & Carols, 3 pm, 8 pm
8 Dec. O Rex Gentium. Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble. St. James Cathedral, Seattle
9 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo. Ars Nova Singers. St. Paul Community of Faith, Denver
13 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo. Ars Nova Singers. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Boulder
14 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo, excerpts. Kansas City Chorale
15 Dec. my son my son. Khorikos. Shrine Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, 154 Sullivan Street, New York City
15 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Red Shift. St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge
15 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo. Ars Nova Singers. First Congregational Church, Longmont
16 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo, excerpts. Kansas City Chorale
16 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Red Shift. St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge
17 Dec. Of the Father’s Love Begotten. Westminster Choir College Readings & Carols, WWFM broadcast, 8 pm
18 Dec. The Consolation of Apollo, excerpts. Kansas City Chorale
18 Dec. Annunciation and Magnificat. Gaudete Brass. St. Theresa Parish, Palatine, IL
24 Dec. Mass for Christmas. Holy Trinity Lutheran, Abington PA
12 Jan 2019. The Consolation of Apollo. Stare at the Sun, St. Vincent de Paul, Chicago
13 Jan 2019. The Consolation of Apollo. Stare at the Sun, St. Ignatius, Chicago
20 Jan. The Consolation of Apollo. Charlotte Symphony Chamber Choir, Davidson, NC
20 Jan. Spirituals for Piano Trio. Arcadian Trio. Abington Presbyterian Church, Abington, PA, 3:00
26 Jan. Canticle, complete broadcast, 4:45 pm. Mark Pinto New Releases, WRTI 90.1 FM Philadelphia, and streaming wrti.org
27 Jan. Spirituals for Piano Trio. Arcadian Trio. First Presbyterian Church, Moorestown, NJ, 7:30
9 Feb. The Stars Shine from The Consolation of Apollo. PMEA District 11 Chorus, Wissahickon HS, Ambler, Pa.
10 Feb. And Good in Every Thing. L.A. Choral Lab, Michael Alfera, cond. Los Angeles
12 Feb. The Consolation of Apollo. Charlotte Symphony Chamber Choir
16 Feb. And Good in Every Thing. L.A. Choral Lab, San Diego
17 Feb. And Good in Every Thing. L.A. Choral Lab, San Diego
10 Mar. Spirituals for Piano Trio. Arcadian Trio. East Brunswick, NJ, 2:00
31 Mar. Canticle. Conspirare, Craig Hella Johnson, cond. Austin, TX
6 Apr. Yes, It’s Beautiful from The Consolation of Apollo. Huntsville Community Chorus, Ian Loeppky
6 Apr. And Good in Every Thing. L.A. Choral Lab. Los Angeles
7 Apr. And Good in Every Thing. L.A. Choral Lab. Los Angeles
Aug. The Consolation of Apollo. National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Robert Hollingworth, cond.
4 Oct. A Child’s Afternoon. Premiere. Anna Meyer, flute, and Erik Meyer, organ. Christ Church, Philadelphia
Selected works
Browse works
Concert Choral
Agnus Dei SATB, orchestra, 15′
Alabanza (Sanchez) vocalist, 7-piece Latin band, opt. orchestra, 6′
Alleluia SATB, 6′
And Good in Every Thing (Shakespeare) SATB, 4’30”
The Arc in the Sky (Lax) SATB, 65′
The Chambered Nautilus (Holmes) SATB, 4′
Canticle (St. John of the Cross) SATB, 3 cellos, 1 perc, 66′
The Consolation of Apollo (Boethius, Apollo 8 crew, Genesis 1) SATB, crotales, bass drum played by singers, 35′
Grandmother’s Garden (Archambault) 2-part children’s choir, piano, opt. C instrument, 9′
The Heavens Declare (Psalm 19) SATB, SAB soloists, piano, audience, 4’30”
How Do I Love Thee? (Browning) SSAA, piano or string quartet, 7′
I Could See the Sky (Various) SATB, 2-part children’s choir, piano or string quartet, 17′
May Day (Eckes) SATB, 2-part children’s choir, 10′
my son my son (Lax) SATB, 5′
Now Ys the Tyme of Crystymas (Hill) SATB (with some div.) or SATB quartet, 3′
O Rex gentium (O Antiphon) SATB, 5′
Out of the Depths (Psalm 130) SATB, 6’30”
Psalm 46 Baritone soloist, SATB, orchestra or piano, 17′
Rejoice in the Lamb (Smart) SATB, 5′
Three Prosits for Männerchor (Various) TTBB, 3′
Two Laudate Psalms (Psalms 113, 150) Mezzo-soprano or high voice, SSAA, piano, 10′
Vespers (Various) SATB, Renaissance band, or various transcriptions, 66′
The Waking Sun (Seneca) SATB, Baroque chamber orchestra, 38′
Where Flames a Word (Celan) SATB, 13′
You Are Most Welcome (Dinsmore) SATB, 4′
Orchestral
Agnus Dei 2015, SATB, 1.2.0.2–2.2.0.0–timp–org–str, 15′
Alabanza (Sanchez) 2003, vocalist–7-piece Latin band, opt. 2.2.2.2–4.3.3.1–timp.2perc–str, 6′
And Seeing the Multitudes 2015, solo cello–2+pic.2.2.2–4.3.3.1–timp.3perc(incl marimba)–pno.hp–str, 20′
The Bremen Town Musicians (Grimm) 2016, narrator, 1.1.1.1–1.1.1.0–1perc–str, 8′
Exsultet 2007, solo horn–str, 18′
Four French Carols 2002, 3(2+pic).3(2+ehn).2.2–4.3.3.1–timp.2perc–str, 12′
Four French Carols 2002, str, 12′
Gold and Silver 2014, 3*.2.2.3*(opt cbn)–4.2.3.1–timp.2perc (incl glock)–str, 7′
Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins 2000, high voice–2.2.2.2–2.2.0.0–str, 11′
Psalm 46 2004, baritone–2*.2.2.2–2.2.3.1–timp.1perc–SATB–str, 14′
The Red Book of Montserrat 2013, str, 20′
A Song of Sonia Sanchez 2000, medium voice, violin, piano, 3 latin perc, double bass–2.2.2.2–4.3.3.1–timp.2perc–str, 7′
Song of the Angels 2014, 2.2.2.2–4.2.3.1–timp.tri–str, 8′
Susquehanna 2017, 3*.3*.3*.2–4.3.3.1–timp.3perc–str, 8′
Symphony: Lumen ad revelationem 2002, 2.2.2.2–2.2.0.0–1perc–str, 22′
Three Dances, 1995, 2/.2.2.2–2.2.0.0–1perc–str, 12′
Three Dances, 1998/2012, str, 12′
The Three Graces 2001, solo oboe, horn, cello–str, 11′
Variations on a Theme of Schubert 1999, solo piano–2.2.2.2–2.1.0.0–timp,1perc–str, 17′
Vespers excerpts, 2017, SATB–2 caccias–2 hns–org–str, 15′
The Voice of One Who Spoke 2003,3*.2.2.2*–4.2.3.1–timp.3perc–str, 20′
Sacred Choral
Agnus Dei SATB, orchestra, 15′
Alleluia SATB, 6′
Behold the Best, the Greatest Gift SATB, org
Come, Gather All SATB, org, opt. brass quartet
Come, Ye Sinners (Beach Spring) SATB, org
For His Mercy Endures Forever (Psalm 136) SATB
Give Ear, O Heavens (Audite caeli) SATB, org
Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn (from Vespers) SATB
Holy Mountain SATB, organ
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day SATB, bells, bass drum
Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts SATB, org
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need SATB, org
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Veni, Emmanuel) SATB, org, opt. brass quintet
Of the Father’s Love Begotten SSATB, org, congregation, opt. brass (3331), timp, cym
O Rex gentium (O Antiphon) SATB
O Sing unto the Lord a New Song (Psalm 98:1,2) SATB Fuguing tune
O Thou, Who Camest from Above SATB
Out of the Depths (Psalm 130) SATB
Psalm 113 (from Vespers) SATB, kbd
Rejoice in the Lamb SATB
Shall the Blessed Saints Surround Us SATB, pno or org
The Word of God SATB, org
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn
Chamber
Adieu, Adieu 2018, octet: fl, cl, Eng hn, bn, va, db, vib, pno, 10′
Air and Jig 2007, English horn, viola, 7′
American Spirituals, Book One 2006, violin, piano, 11′
American Spirituals, Book Two 2008, cello, piano, 11′
Annunciation and Magnificat 2016, opt. narrator, brass quintet, 22′
The Better Angels of Our Nature 2010, soprano saxophone, piano, 4′
The Bremen Town Musicians 2008, narrator, violin, cello, 8′
Chant 2006, trombone, bassoon, piano, 7′
A Child’s Afternoon 2018, flute, organ, 9′
Fanfare 1991, 1993, 2006, 4 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, tam-tam; 2′
Fanfare on Ein feste Burg 2017, 7 Renaissance instruments (2 soprano shawms, alto shawm, 2 sackbuts, quartbass dulcian, large tabor, 1’30”
Fanfare on Ein feste Burg 2017, brass quintet, opt. large drum, 1’30”
Fanfare for Three Voices 2017, horn, trombone, tuba, 2′
Four French Carols 1988, 12′
The Nobility of Women 2011, Baroque flute, oboe, violin, viola da gamba, Baroque cello, harpsichord, 20′
Plain Truths (Various) 2011/2013; baritone, piano or string quartet, opt. chorus; 20′
Red-tail and Hummingbird 2013, brass sextet with 2 horns, 6′
Red-tail and Hummingbird 2013, brass sextet with 2 trombones, 6′
Red-tail and Hummingbird 2013, mixed sextet: 2 trumpets, horn, bassoon, trombone, tuba, 6′
Red-tail and Hummingbird 2013, mixed sextet: 2 soprano shawms, 2 tenor sackbuts, bass dulcian, quartbass dulcian, 6′
Red-tail and Hummingbird 2013, brass quintet (high, in C), 6′
Red-tail and Hummingbird 2013, brass quintet (low, in Bb), 6′
A Song of Sonia Sanchez 1998, medium voice, violin, piano, 3 latin percussion, double or electric bass, 7′
Spirituals for Piano Trio 2018, violin, cello, piano, 11′
This Broad Land 2010, bassoon, piano, 5′
This Broad Land 2010, soprano saxophone, piano, 5′
Two Pieces for Saxophone and Piano 2010, (This Broad Land and The Better Angels of Our Nature), 10′
The Three Graces 2008, oboe, horn, cello, double bass, piano, 11′
Thrice Blest 2010 violin, viola, cello, 5′
Vocal
Alas, and Did my Savior Bleed 1981; high voice, organ; 4′
Five Scottish Songs 1984; high voice, piano; 15′ 1. Two Girls Singing (Iain Crichton Smith) 2. Anemones (Marion Angus) 3. The Lodging (George Mackay Brown) 4. Wedding (George Mackay Brown) 5. On a Cat, Ageing (Sir Alexander Gray)
Holy Mountain 1982; high voice, organ; 4′
In This Blue Room 2015; mezzo-soprano, baritone, piano; 45′
Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts 1982; high voice, organ; 4′
Magnificat 2003; soprano, soprano recorder, percussion. 6′
Mark the Music (Shakespeare) 2014; soprano, tenor, baritone, piano; 4′
Morire (Bartoli) 2005; medium voice, piano; 4′
Plain Truths (Various) 2011/2013; baritone, piano or string quartet, opt. chorus; 20′
Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins 1989/2000; high voice, piano; high voice, orchestra; 11′
Poems of Stephen Berg 2000; soprano, clarinet, piano; 9′
Psalm 46 2004, baritone, SATB, orchestra, 14′
Stationen auf dem Wege zur Freiheit (Bonhoeffer) 1998; soprano, tenor saxophone, piano; 15′
There Is No Great and No Small (Emerson) 2016; mezzo-soprano, piano; 3′
Thine for Ever 1982; soprano, organ; 4′
Three Italian Songs 2005; voice, piano; 10′
Three Italian Songs 2005; medium voice, violin, cello, clarinet, bass clarinet; 10′
Three Songs, No. 1 (Shelley) 1978/2000; high voice, piano; 12′
Three Songs, No. 2 (Birrel) 1979; tenor, piano; 9′
Three Songs, No. 3 (Various) 1979; high voice, piano; 8′
Three Songs, No. 4 (Smith) 1980/99; high voice, piano; 8′
Three Songs, No. 5 (Hopkins) 1989; high voice, piano; 14′
Two Tunes by Gerard Manley Hopkins (harmonized K.S.) 1989; high voice, piano; 4′ 1. Who is Silvia? (William Shakespeare, 1st version) 2. Who is Silvia? (William Shakespeare, 2nd version)
who are you, little i (Cummings) 1981; high voice, piano; 3′
Solo Instrument
A Child’s Afternoon 2018, flute, organ
Diabelli Variation 2010, piano
Mazurka 1984, 2018, guitar
Reflection 2017, organ
Softly and Tenderly 2012, piano
Testimony 2012, piano
Totentanz 1994, guitar
Two Meditations on Freu dich sehr 2013, organ
Variations on a Theme of Schubert 1999, piano