Henry Charles Smith III R.I.P.

robcat2075 · by **robcat2075** » 2021-09-13 9:31 a.m.

Trombonist and conductor Henry Charles Smith has died.

~~[url=https://slippedisc.com/2021/09/us-orchestra-mourns-former-music-director-90/]~~US orchestra mourns former music director, 90

I recall going to a trombone clinic he gave in the 70s.

He can be heard playing Morceau Symphonique with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra on an LP called "First Chair Encores"

~~[url]~~<LINK_TEXT text="https://archive.org/details/lp_first-ch ... -orchestra">https://archive.org/details/lp_first-chair-encores-volume-1-showpieces-fo_eugene-ormandy-the-philadelphia-orchestra</LINK_TEXT>

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2021-09-13 10:32 a.m.

He also had some solo recordings in the 60's that are way ahead of their time - playing that stands up to modern standards. They have been re-released on CD in a 2 or 3 CD package. I got mine from Hickeys and I think I have at least one of the LP's somewhere. Beautiful player! Some great orchestral playing too on a bunch of the Ormandy recordings with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2021-09-13 11:51 a.m.

His son Hank Smith is (or was) a trombonist in the Army Band here in DC. Haven't heard from him for a while so I don't know for sure.

PosauneCat · 2021-09-13 12:12 p.m.

HCS was truly an inspiration. I grew up just north of Philly so he was a local hero to all us aspiring brass players. He was a fine musician on many levels. His death marks the end of an era.

Just last week I read this interview with him:

<LINK_TEXT text="http://www.dwerden.com/forum/content.ph ... rles-Smith">http://www.dwerden.com/forum/content.php/119-Interview-with-Henry-Charles-Smith</LINK_TEXT>

Here’s a link to the recordings that CalgaryTbone referenced above. Great recordings.

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tub ... rdings.php">https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tuba_and_euphonium/tubaeuph_compact_discs/euphonium_solo_cds/products/sku100765-smith-henry-charles-henry-charles-smithremastered-recordings.php</LINK_TEXT>

PosauneCat · by **PosauneCat** » 2021-09-13 12:14 p.m.

[quote="robcat2075"]Trombonist and conductor Henry Charles Smith has died.[/quote]

Thanks for letting us know, Robert. I saw no other mention of his death anywhere online.

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2021-09-13 9:05 p.m.

There's a short blurb on Slippedisc about HCS's death.

Jim Scott

PosauneCat · by **PosauneCat** » 2021-09-13 9:08 p.m.

[quote="CalgaryTbone"]There's a short blurb on Slippedisc about HCS's death.

Jim Scott[/quote]

That’s the link that Robert posted.

PosauneCat · 2021-09-13 9:13 p.m.

Here’s a write up about HCS from Interlochen. It includes an audio file of Smith playing.

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/ ... smith-dies">https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/classical-happenings/2021-09-13/conductor-henry-charles-smith-dies</LINK_TEXT>

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2021-09-13 9:15 p.m.

[quote="PosauneCat"]Here’s a write up about HCS from Interlochen. It includes an audio file of Smith playing.[/quote]

Link?

robcat2075 · by **robcat2075** » 2021-09-13 9:49 p.m.

[quote="BGuttman"]<QUOTE author="PosauneCat" post_id="157442" time="1631582005" user_id="11292">
Here’s a write up about HCS from Interlochen. It includes an audio file of Smith playing.[/quote]

Link?
</QUOTE>

Perhaps this is it...

~~[url=https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/classical-happenings/2021-09-13/conductor-henry-charles-smith-dies]~~Conductor Henry Charles Smith dies

PosauneCat · by **PosauneCat** » 2021-09-13 11:08 p.m.

[quote="robcat2075"]<QUOTE author="BGuttman" post_id="157443" time="1631582145" user_id="53">

Link?[/quote]

Perhaps this is it...

~~[url=https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/classical-happenings/2021-09-13/conductor-henry-charles-smith-dies]~~Conductor Henry Charles Smith dies
</QUOTE>

That’s it. Sorry I forgot the link.

PosauneCat · by **PosauneCat** » 2021-09-17 6:37 p.m.

I purchased the remastered recordings of HCS and they arrived today. My advice, get them, they are well worth it. The remastering is very faithful to the original recordings. No heavy EQing or other processing has been done. There is a certain charm to the sound of these recordings and his playing is very beautiful. The two Bordogni pieces are particularly sweet. The only thing that I was disappointed by was that the pianist is given no credit, either on the cover, contents page, or in Doug Yeo's notes! I know from the original LPs, which did list the pianist, that it was Gertrude Kuehefuhs. She does an admirable job though the piano is a bit of a dog, rather dull and lifeless (probably an old Baldwin). Here's a link if you're interested in purchasing them:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tub ... rdings.php">https://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/tuba_and_euphonium/tubaeuph_compact_discs/euphonium_solo_cds/products/sku100765-smith-henry-charles-henry-charles-smithremastered-recordings.php</LINK_TEXT>

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Henry Charles Smith III R.I.P.