by Kile Smith | Feb 22, 2013 | Brass Quintet, Chamber Music, Early Music, New Compositions, new music
Brass quintet version performed by the Philadelphia Brass Red-tail and Hummingbird. For various ensembles of 5 or 6 players. 6′ Commissioned by Orchestra 2001 and Piffaro, the Renaissance Band for joint concerts on February 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2013, for a...
by Kile Smith | Feb 21, 2013 | Brass Music, Chamber Music, New Compositions, new music
In Swarthmore College’s Lang Concert Hall today for the dress rehearsal of this weekend’s Orchestra 2001 / Piffaro concerts. Those familiar with that space know that besides the asymmetrical charm of the seating, the most apparent feature is the...
by Kile Smith | Feb 20, 2013 | Chamber Music, Early Music, New Compositions, new music
[First published 19 Feb 2013 in the Broad Street Review and reprinted with permission. This is the last of the 4-part series; read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, and Part 3 here.] I compose almost exclusively in modes, and I mention this bit of shoptalk only to hint...
by Kile Smith | Feb 19, 2013 | Chamber Music, Early Music, new music
We had a fine first rehearsal of Red-tail and Hummingbird yesterday, with both groups. Casting caution to the winds, Piffaro is playing without a conductor. But they always play without a conductor. Casting even more caution to even windier winds, Jim Freeman is...
by Kile Smith | Feb 12, 2013 | Chamber Music, Early Music, New Compositions, new music
[First published 12 Feb 2013 in the Broad Street Review and reprinted with permission. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.] So Frank Zappa had to go, but a little music I’d written down in my first blush of Black Page ardor stuck with me: five notes, a fast, simple,...
