The music of Kile Smith has received three Grammy nominations and is hailed nationally and internationally for its strong voice, sheer beauty, and “profoundly direct emotional appeal.” Leading choral conductor Craig Hella Johnson has called Kile “one of our most important composers … his voice is unlike any other. Utterly unique.” He has been commissioned by The Crossing, Conspirare, Piffaro, Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Chor Leoni, William Ferris Chorale, Helena Symphony, Lyric Fest, Westminster Choir College, Orchestra 2001, Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania and iSing Girlchoirs, Choral Arts Washington (DC), Choral Arts Philadelphia, Relâche, Newburyport Chamber Music Festival, Gaudete Brass, Church of the Holy Trinity (Philadelphia), Church of the Blessed Sacrament (Seattle), Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and many others. Kile’s first opera, The Book of Job, was co-commissioned by Conspirare and The Crossing.
Major choral works of Kile’s are heard throughout the US and internationally. He’s written works for Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim, principal clarinet Ricardo Morales, English horn Elizabeth Starr Masoudnia, and principal horn Jennifer Montone. Gramophone called Vespers “spectacular,” American Record Guide, “a major new work,” and Audiophile Audition, “a masterpiece of the deepest kind … easily one of the best releases of the year of any type … a crime to pass up.” More than a dozen CDs with Kile’s music have been released in the last few years.
October 2 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Village Voices