Dave Smith (composer)
Encyclopedia
Dave Smith is an English
experimental
composer and musical performer. After attending Solihull School
, he read music at Magdalene College, Cambridge. In the 1970s, Smith was a member of the Scratch Orchestra
and a performer/composer in ensembles with John Lewis, Michael Parsons, Howard Skempton
, John White, Gavin Bryars
and Benedict Mason
. In the 1980s he was a founder-member of the English Gamelan Orchestra and Liria, the first British groups to specialise in, respectively, Javanese classical
and Albanian folk musics.
Up to 1977 his music was largely minimalist (process music
or systems music
). His style developed into a highly eclectic pool of ideas chronicled in a long series of recital-length Piano Concerts, works which encompass an entire concert with varieties of styles.
Smith has taught at Kingsway-Princeton College (1973-84) and De Montfort University
(1980-97) and currently lectures in music at the University of Hertfordshire
. His work with students has resulted in a large number of arrangements, in particular, for tuned percussion orchestra. He is an active member of COMA (Contemporary Music for Amateurs) for whom he has composed works for large, flexible ensembles such as "Murdoch or Fred West - which is best ? Reconsidered" (2000), and "Whiskies of Islay" (2006).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
composer and musical performer. After attending Solihull School
Solihull School
Solihull School is a British Independent school situated near the centre of Solihull, West Midlands, England.2010 saw Solihull School celebrate its 450th anniversary since its foundation in 1560....
, he read music at Magdalene College, Cambridge. In the 1970s, Smith was a member of the Scratch Orchestra
Scratch Orchestra
The Scratch Orchestra was an experimental musical ensemble founded in the spring of 1969 by Cornelius Cardew, Michael Parsons and Howard Skempton....
and a performer/composer in ensembles with John Lewis, Michael Parsons, Howard Skempton
Howard Skempton
Howard Skempton is a British composer and accordionist. Since the late 1960s, when he helped organize the Scratch Orchestra, he has been associated with the English school of experimental music...
, John White, Gavin Bryars
Gavin Bryars
Richard Gavin Bryars is an English composer and double bassist. He has been active in, or has produced works in, a variety of styles of music, including jazz, free improvisation, minimalism, historicism, experimental music, avant-garde and neoclassicism.-Early life and career:Born in Goole, East...
and Benedict Mason
Benedict Mason
Benedict Mason, born on 23 February 1954, is a British composer.Mason was educated at King's College Cambridge and took a degree in film-making at the Royal College of Art . He did not turn to composition until his early 30s, but his first acknowledged work, Hinterstoisser Traverse , attracted...
. In the 1980s he was a founder-member of the English Gamelan Orchestra and Liria, the first British groups to specialise in, respectively, Javanese classical
Music of Java
The Music of Java embraces a wide variety of styles, both traditional and contemporary, reflecting the diversity of the island and its lengthy history...
and Albanian folk musics.
Up to 1977 his music was largely minimalist (process music
Process music
Process music is music that arises from a process. It may make that process audible to the listener, or the process may be concealed. Primarily begun in the 1960s, diverse composers have employed divergent methods and styles of process...
or systems music
Systems music
Systems music is a term which has been used to describe the work of composers who concern themselves primarily with sound continuums which evolve gradually, often over very long periods of time . Historically, the American minimalists Steve Reich, La Monte Young and Philip Glass are considered the...
). His style developed into a highly eclectic pool of ideas chronicled in a long series of recital-length Piano Concerts, works which encompass an entire concert with varieties of styles.
Smith has taught at Kingsway-Princeton College (1973-84) and De Montfort University
De Montfort University
De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...
(1980-97) and currently lectures in music at the University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
. His work with students has resulted in a large number of arrangements, in particular, for tuned percussion orchestra. He is an active member of COMA (Contemporary Music for Amateurs) for whom he has composed works for large, flexible ensembles such as "Murdoch or Fred West - which is best ? Reconsidered" (2000), and "Whiskies of Islay" (2006).