![]() In the early 1950s, Smith was selected by the great violinist Jascha Heifetz to be his exclusive pianist. He began a lengthy association with that famed institution, teaching and performing there for many years and collaborating with many renowned artists, including Adele Addison, Jan de Gaetani, Raya Gargousova, Lynn Harrell, Zara Nelsova, Eudice Shapiro, Benita Valente, and the Juilliard and American Quartets. After graduating from Juilliard in 1939, he continued playing for singers Risë Stevens, Julius Huehn, Mack Harrell, and George Britton while developing an interest in the string repertoire as well.Īfter serving in World War II, Smith returned to America and eventually was engaged by baritone Mack Harrell, then the director of the newly organized Aspen Music School and Festival. ![]() Although the Lhevinnes tried to steer him toward a solo career, Smith became more interested in the collaborative process and began earning his living as a collaborative pianist while still a student in New York. During his student years, Smith became increasingly interested in Lieder and in the vast world of chamber music, and began doing a great deal of accompanying. Following his graduation from high school and an additional year of private study, he auditioned at the Juilliard School, where he was awarded a full scholarship to study with Rosina and Josef Lhevinne. He was 88.īorn in McAllen, Texas, in 1912, Smith started his piano studies at the age of 4, embarking on a lifelong love affair with the piano. ROCHESTER, NY Brooks Smith, professor of piano and accompanying at the Eastman School of Music from 1966-1972 and perhaps the most well known and beloved American pianist-accompanist of his generation, died Tuesday, October 31, 2000, in California after a brief illness. ![]()
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