Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

June 29, 1925 in Cleveland, OH

Death

:

November 24, 2009 in Freeport, NY

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Hale Smith was an American composer, pianist, and arranger who was born on June 29, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a pianist and singer. Smith began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Smith attended the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied piano and composition. He later went on to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. After completing his studies, Smith served in the United States Army during World War II. After his military service, Smith moved to New York City, where he became involved in the jazz scene. He played piano in various jazz clubs and worked as an arranger for jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Quincy Jones. Smith's experience in jazz had a significant influence on his classical compositions, which often incorporated elements of jazz and other popular music styles. In 1959, Smith was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed him to travel to Europe and study with the renowned composer Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Boulanger was impressed with Smith's talent and encouraged him to continue composing classical music. Smith's compositions include works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo piano, and voice. One of his most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1966. The symphony is a fusion of classical and jazz styles and features a prominent role for the piano. Another notable work by Smith is his Piano Sonata No. 1, which was composed in 1957. The sonata is a virtuosic work that showcases Smith's skill as a pianist and composer. It has been performed by many pianists, including the renowned pianist Leon Fleisher. Smith also composed several works for voice, including his song cycle "Beyond the Rim of Day," which sets the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar to music. The cycle was premiered by the soprano Leontyne Price and has since been performed by many other singers. In addition to his work as a composer, Smith was also a dedicated educator. He taught at the University of Connecticut and the University of Maryland and was a visiting professor at several other universities. He was a strong advocate for the inclusion of African American composers in the classical music canon and worked to promote the music of other African American composers. Smith passed away on November 23, 2009, at the age of 84. He left behind a legacy of innovative and influential compositions that continue to be performed and celebrated today.

More....