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...
by Kile Smith | Sep 3, 2021 | Chamber Music, Choral music, hymn, liturgical music, new music, Vocal music
“Held the audience spellbound,” “leaping to their feet in a standing ovation,” “raucous,” “beautifully crafted, “especially moving and inventive,” “a worthy addition to that sacred canon” — Gail...
by Kile Smith | Jun 4, 2021 | Children's Music, Orchestral Music
The English Symphony Orchestra releases Fiddles, Forests and Fowl Fables today, including my 14-minute work for narrator and chamber orchestra, The Bremen Town Musicians, narrated by Gemma Whelan, the British actress and comedian known for her work in Game of Thrones....
by Kile Smith | May 11, 2021 | Chamber Music, Solo
There’s a Land Beyond the River, solo violin, 3′. In memory of Sidney Grolnic. Premiered 14 April 2021, Joseph Kauffman, violin, George Washington Memorial Park, Plymouth Meeting, PA. For the story behind this work, please see There’s a Land Beyond...
