by Kile Smith | Apr 1, 2022 | Classical music, Fleisher Collection, Fleisher Discoveries, Orchestral Music
This was the last completely original piece of music he would ever write. He was 31 years old and he told people that he was Icarus. Igor Markevitch (1912–1983). Icare (1932–43) Listen on SoundCloud Listen on Spotify Hi everyone, I’m Kile Smith, and welcome to...
by Kile Smith | Mar 11, 2022 | Art songs, new music, Vocal music
Sometimes It Happens So. 2022. Five-song cycle for baritone, piano, 18′. Poems by Jane Flanders. Commissioned by the Estate of Jane Flanders for Benjamin Flanders, baritone and Nell Flanders, piano. “Blue Lobster” premiered 9 January 2021 at Cincinnati SongSlam....
by Kile Smith | Jan 14, 2022 | New Compositions, new music, Piano music, Solo
Beginning at 7:24, the premiere of Thirty Variations on a Theme of Bartók by Kile Smith, Milena Urban, piano, Community Music School of Collegeville, 23 Apr 2022. Thirty Variations on a Theme of Bartók. For piano. 35′. Commissioned by the Community Music...
by Kile Smith | Dec 31, 2021 | American music, Fleisher Collection, Fleisher Discoveries, Orchestral Music, Podcast
It’s debatable how much power 12-tone music held over classical music in the 20th century, but power it certainly had. Then an inside man dropped a bombshell. A look at George Rochberg. George Rochberg (1918–2005). Symphony No. 1 (1949–57) Listen on SoundCloud Listen...
by Kile Smith | Dec 1, 2021 | Fleisher Collection, Fleisher Discoveries, Orchestral Music
On the run for most of his young life, a composer finds a home in America, creates exquisite works of ineffable beauty, and becomes a lasting influence as “the godfather of Chinese contemporary music.” Chou Wen-chung (1923–2019). And the Fallen Petals (1955) Listen on...
by Kile Smith | Nov 15, 2021 | Brass Music, Chamber Music, New Compositions, new music
Intrada, for Six Horns. 2’45”. For the Curtis Institute of Music Horn Studio. Premiered 1 Dec 2021, the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia. Composed spring 2021 at the request of Jeffrey Lang and Jennifer Montone, who teach horn at Curtis and who...