Role

:

Conductor Performer

Birth

:

January 31, 1947 in Lewiston, ID

Death

:

November 14, 2007 in Boston, MA

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Craig Smith was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music as a conductor, pianist, and harpsichordist. He was born on October 2, 1946, in East Orange, New Jersey, and grew up in a family that valued music. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to music at an early age. Smith began his musical journey by learning the piano at the age of five. He showed exceptional talent and was soon performing in public. He continued his musical education at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied piano and harpsichord. He also studied conducting with Leonard Bernstein, who was a significant influence on his career. In 1969, Smith founded the Emmanuel Music ensemble in Boston, which became his primary focus for the next 40 years. The ensemble was named after the Emmanuel Church in Boston, where Smith was the music director. The group was known for its performances of Bach's cantatas, which were considered some of the best in the world. Smith's talent as a conductor was recognized early on, and he was invited to conduct many prestigious orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He was also a regular guest conductor at the Tanglewood Music Festival, where he conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra. One of Smith's most significant achievements was his work on the complete recording of Bach's cantatas. The project took over 20 years to complete and involved recording all 200 of Bach's cantatas. The recordings were released on the Harmonia Mundi label and received critical acclaim. The project was a testament to Smith's dedication to Bach's music and his commitment to excellence. Smith was also a talented pianist and harpsichordist and performed regularly as a soloist and chamber musician. He was known for his interpretations of Bach's keyboard music and was considered one of the leading performers of his time. In addition to his work as a conductor and performer, Smith was also a respected music educator. He taught at the New England Conservatory of Music and was a visiting professor at many universities, including Harvard, Yale, and the University of California, Berkeley. Smith's contributions to the world of music were recognized with many awards and honors. He was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts' prestigious National Heritage Fellowship in 1994, which is the highest honor given to traditional artists in the United States. He was also awarded the Bach Prize by the City of Leipzig in 2008, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the world of classical music. Smith's life was tragically cut short when he died of a heart attack on November 10, 2007, at the age of 61. His death was a great loss to the world of music, and he was mourned by many. However, his legacy lives on through his recordings, performances, and the many musicians he inspired and taught. In conclusion, Craig Smith was a remarkable musician who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His dedication to Bach's music and his commitment to excellence were evident in all of his work, and he was recognized as one of the leading performers and conductors of his time. His legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world, and he will always be remembered as a true master of his craft.

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