Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1955

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Paul Smadbeck was an American composer and percussionist who was born on December 15, 1955, in Carteret, New Jersey. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the accordion and his mother singing in the church choir. Smadbeck began playing the drums at the age of nine and later studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music. Smadbeck's early career was focused on performing as a percussionist, and he played with a number of orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the American Symphony Orchestra, and the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble. He also worked as a studio musician, recording for television and film soundtracks. In the 1980s, Smadbeck began to focus more on composing, and his works quickly gained recognition in the classical music world. One of his most famous compositions is his marimba concerto, "Rhythm Song," which was premiered by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in 1985. The piece features a solo marimba accompanied by a full orchestra, and it showcases Smadbeck's skill at blending traditional classical music with elements of jazz and world music. Smadbeck's other notable works include "Virginia Tate," a concerto for vibraphone and orchestra, and "Etude No. 1," a solo marimba piece that has become a standard in the percussion repertoire. He also composed a number of chamber music works, including "Night Rhapsody" for clarinet and marimba and "Three Songs" for soprano and marimba. Throughout his career, Smadbeck was known for his innovative use of percussion instruments and his ability to create complex rhythms and textures in his compositions. He was also a dedicated teacher, and he taught percussion at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School. Tragically, Smadbeck's life was cut short when he died of cancer on June 8, 2007, at the age of 51. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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