Smith (real name, Vielehr), Julia (Frances)

Smith (real name, Vielehr), Julia (Frances) , American pianist, composer, and writer on music; b. Denton, Tex., Jan. 25, 1911; d. N.Y., April 27, 1989. She studied at North Tex. State Univ. (graduated, 1930), then took courses in piano with Carl Friedberg and received instruction in composition at the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y. (diploma, 1939); also studied at N.Y.U. (M.A., 1933; Ph.D., 1952). She was the pianist of the all-women Orchestrette of N.Y. (1932–39); made tours of the U.S., Latin America, and Europe; taught at the Harrt School of Music in Hartford, Conn. (1941–46).

Writings

Aaron Copland: His Work and Contribution to American Music (N.Y., 1955); Master Pianist: The Career and Teaching of Carl Friedberg (N.Y., 1963); Directory of American Women Composers (Indianapolis, 1970).

Works

DRAMATIC: Opera: Cynthia Parker (1938; Denton, Feb. 16, 1940; rev. 1977); The Stranger of Marnano (1943; Dallas, May 6, 1947); The Gooseherd and the Goblin (1946; N.Y, Feb. 22, 1947); Cockcrow (1953; Austin, Tex., April 22, 1954); The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep (1963; Fort Worth, Tex., Dec. 28, 1967); Daisy (Miami, Nov. 3, 1973). ORCH.: Episodic Suite (1936); Piano Concerto (1938; rev. 1971; Dallas, Feb. 28, 1976; arr. for 2 Pianos, 1971); Folkways Symphony (1948); Remember the Alamo for Symphonic or Full Band and Optional Narrator and Chorus (1965; in collaboration with C. Vashaw). CHAMBER : Cornwall, piano trio (1955); String Quartet (1964); Suite for Wind Octet (1980); piano pieces. VOCAL : Various works, including Our Heritage for Double Chorus and Orch. (1958) and Prairie Kaleidoscope, song cycle for Soprano and String Quartet (1982).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire