Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

1948 in Hardwick, MA

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Film

 

Chas Smith is a renowned American composer, performer, and instrument builder who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Born in 1949 in Los Angeles, California, Smith grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from an early age. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist, which gave him a unique perspective on music. Smith began his musical journey by learning to play the guitar and the banjo. He was also interested in electronics and started building his own instruments. In the early 1970s, he became interested in the music of Harry Partch, an American composer who created his own instruments and tuning systems. This sparked Smith's interest in experimental music and led him to explore new ways of creating sound. In the mid-1970s, Smith began performing with the Los Angeles Free Music Society, a collective of experimental musicians. He also started building his own instruments, including the steel cello, which he used in his performances. Smith's music was characterized by its use of unconventional instruments and tunings, as well as its incorporation of natural sounds such as wind and water. In the 1980s, Smith began to focus more on composition and started to gain recognition for his work. He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1982, which allowed him to travel to Bali and study gamelan music. This experience had a profound impact on his music, and he began to incorporate Balinese tuning systems into his compositions. One of Smith's most notable works is "Nakadai," a piece for steel cello and gamelan ensemble. The piece was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet and premiered in 1986. It features a unique tuning system that combines Western and Balinese scales, creating a rich and complex sound. "Nakadai" has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world and is considered a landmark work in contemporary classical music. Smith's other notable works include "Mandala," a piece for steel cello and electronics, and "An Hour Out of Desert Center," a piece for pedal steel guitar and electronics. Both pieces showcase Smith's innovative use of unconventional instruments and his ability to create immersive soundscapes. In addition to his work as a composer, Smith is also a respected instrument builder. He has built numerous instruments over the years, including the steel cello, the pedal steel guitar, and the gamelan instruments used in "Nakadai." His instruments are known for their unique sound and innovative design. Smith continues to be an active composer and performer, and his work has been featured in numerous festivals and concerts around the world. He has received numerous awards and grants for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2006. His contributions to the world of contemporary classical music have been significant, and his innovative approach to composition and instrument building has inspired countless musicians and composers.

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