Alex H Smith
Performance
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Concerto soloist, orchestral musician, contemporary performance artist, musical theatre percussionist, jazz vibraphonist, timpanist, session musician, Latin percussionist, folk musician, improviser, drummer, marimba specialist.
(Programme note descriptions from professional performances)
Solo Performance
As a soloist and collaborator, I perform frequently with a range of percussion instruments (both pitched and rhythmical). My speciality lies in marimba and melodic percussion.
My personal musical interests range from contemporary classical music, to jazz, to hip-hop to baroque arrangements.
Through my solo, ensemble, and composition work, I aim to expand the role of melodic percussion in music outside the standard repertoire; finding new avenues to explore (both technically and stylistically) by collaborating with composers, interdisciplinary artists, and other musicians.
I have had the honour of performing internationally as a soloist in a variety of genres and contexts. Recent highlights include:
- Performing the world premier of Ludwig Albert's 'Permafrost' Concerto for solo marimba and percussion quartet.
- Frequent collaborative performances with spoken word artist Sesa
- Appearing as a soloist in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Wuhan, during a concert hall tour with the RNCM percussion sextet.
My favourite way to create is through collaboration. The sharing of experiences, perspectives and tastes always leads to unexpected places and very enjoyable performances.
This philosophy has drawn me into many creative environments, where I've been lucky enough to work with fabulous artists in the creation of cool projects and pieces.
Throughout my studies of classical music, I have always had a strong focus on Chamber music; from fixed groups with whom I performed regularly (The Melia Duo, RNCM Percussion Sextet, Ensemble XXI etc) to many ad hoc projects with harpists, saxophonists, percussionists, singers, pianists and many more.
Small ensemble Performance
Orchestral and large ensemble
Performance
I began my musical career as a brass band percussionist (in the typical British tradition). My first professional role as a musician was as Principle Tuned Percussionist with the world champion; Black Dyke Brass Band.
Following my bachelor studies in Orchestral Percussion and Timpani from the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester, UK), I worked for several years as a freelance orchestral percussionist in the UK and Europe. I performed regularly with the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Film Orchestra, and I appeared as a guest player with many others, including;
- Buxton Opera Festival orchestra
- Jersey Chamber Orchestra
- Scarborough Spa Orchestra
- Montepulciano Festival symphony & chamber orchestras
- Szene 12 opera orchestra (Dresden)
Some career highlights include:
- Giving the UK Premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki Penderecki's 'Seven Gates of Jerusalem' symphony, under the baton of the composer himself.
- Performing in the Montepulicano summer festival orchestras, premiering a new opera by Stefano Taglietti and Carlo Pasquini alongside a 3 week programme of symphony concerts.
- Performing with the Backbeat Percussion ensemble across the UK for performances of Carmina Burana (for massed choirs, 2 pianos and orchestral percussion section)
