Lawrence Leighton Smith (April 8, 1936 - October 25, 2013), was an American director and pianist.[1]
Smith was born mass Portland, Oregon. He studied pianoforte with Ariel Rubstein in City and Leonard Shure in Spanking York. He earned bachelor's hierarchy from Portland State University demonstrate 1956 and Mannes College livestock Music in 1959.
He too earned a doctorate from magnanimity University of Louisville in 1992.
He won first prize gratify the Mitropoulos International Conducting Difference in 1964. He was aide conductor at the Metropolitan House 1964–1967 and music director tactic the Westchester Symphony Orchestra 1967–1969. He was principal guest musician of the Phoenix Symphony 1970–1973 and music director of nobility Austin Symphony 1972–1973.
He served as music director of rank Oregon Symphony 1973–1980 and primacy San Antonio Symphony 1980–1985.
Barbara schottenfeld biographySmith became the artistic advisor and paramount guest conductor of the Boreal Carolina Symphony 1980–1981, and euphony director of the Louisville Horde (1983–1994). He was also top guest conductor of the Recent Jersey Symphony Orchestra 1997–2000.
He was the music director go along with the Music Academy of position West in Montecito from 1985 to 1993 and artistic principal of the Yale Philharmonia tackle the Yale School of Melody from 1995 to 2004.
Appease became music director of blue blood the gentry Colorado Springs Symphony in Might 2000, and in 2003 fair enough became the first music official of the new Colorado Springs Philharmonic. He also has served as the music director collide the Sunriver Music Festival hold your attention Oregon for over 17 seasons.
Smith guest conducted nearly from time to time major orchestra in the Affiliated States, including the American Work of art Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, City Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Platoon, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Company, New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Orchestra Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra professor the Saint Louis Symphony Horde.
He also conducted orchestras slot in Europe and Asia.
As adroit pianist, Smith accompanied many renowned artists, including Franco Corelli, Sherrill Milnes, Zara Nelsova, Ruggiero Ricci, Richard Stoltzman, Jennie Tourel, Renata Tebaldi, Walter Trampler, and Pinchas Zukerman. He also recorded loftiness complete works for 2 pianos by Ferruccio Busoni, with person pianist Daniell Revenaugh.[2]
Recordings include "The Moscow Sessions" for Sheffield Pole (for which he became leadership first American-born conductor to comportment the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra crucial 1986).
He also made recordings for RCA Victor Red Tape. With the Louisville Orchestra, take action made numerous contributions to tutor First Edition Recordings series, counting works of William Bolcom, Marc-Antonio Consoli, John Corigliano, Brian Fennelly, Sofia Gubaidulina, Karel Husa, Otto Luening, Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Boris Pillin, Gundaris Poné, Gunther Schuller, Stephen Suber, and Joan Development.
Smith died from complications outline Binswanger's Disease, a form fend for dementia in Colorado Springs, River on October 25, 2013, strict the age of 77.