Curtis-Smith, Curtis (Otto)

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Curtis-Smith, Curtis (Otto) (b Walla Walla, Wash., 1941). Amer. composer, pianist, and teacher. Began career as recitalist and soloist with orchs. 1968. Koussevitzky Prize 1972. Invented ‘piano bowing’, i.e. drawing fishing-line across str. of pf. to produce single and clustered pitches. Works incl. fl. sonata (1963); 3 str. qt. (1964, 1965, 1980); Pianacaglia, pf. (1967); Rhapsodies, pf. (1973); Winter Pieces, chamber orch. (1974); (Bells) Belle de Jour, pf., orch. (1974–5); Unisonics, alt. sax., pf. (1976); Music for Handbells, 10 players (1976–7); Tonalities, cl., perc. (1978); Plays and Rimes, brass quintet (1979); The Great American Symphony (GAS!), orch. (1981); The Great American Guitar Solo (GAGS!) (1982); Ragmala (a Garland of Ragas), gui., str. qt. (1983); Songs and Cantillations, gui., orch. (1983); Chaconne à son goût, orch. (1984); Sardonic Sketches, ww. quintet (1986); ‘ … Float Wild Birds, Sleeping’, orch. (1988); and some vocal pieces.