I believe I first met Kile Smith when I invited him onto my radio show, “The Lost Chord,” in 2009. The idea was to bring Kile, at the time host of WRTI’s “Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection,” and Marvin Rosen, host of WPRB’s “Classical Discoveries,” together, so that we could jawbone about forgotten, new, and neglected composers, and also share some unusual music.
While each of our shows had their own distinctive character, there was an undeniable kinship in their questing spirits, and anyway I always admired both men for their programming and their passion. All-encompassing enthusiasm for what one does is invariably compelling. Also, Kile always expresses himself so well, and he’s got a winning presence. Anytime he filled in for another announcer on WRTI, as a listener I felt I’d hit the jackpot.
For this particular program, I handed hosting duties over to composer Robert Moran – the only guest host “The Lost Chord” has ever had – so that I could take my seat at the round table. Well, we had a blast, I think, and afterward we retired to Triumph Brewery. Interestingly, I later wound up working with both Kile and Marvin, thanks in no small part to their advocacy, at WRTI and WPRB.
My friendship with Kile has endured, and although we don’t see one another very often, there is social media and email to offer the illusion of connection, and every time we do meet, at a concert or for a coffee, I think we both walk away feeling enriched. I know Kile elevates me. He is generous, insightful, clever, funny, and real. And I don’t mind saying, I love listening to his voice.
I can’t believe it was on that visit in 2009 – which now seems so long ago – that Kile handed me a recording of his brand-new “Vespers,” featuring the acclaimed choral group The Crossing and the equally esteemed early music ensemble Piffaro, The Renaissance Band. The work is a modern masterpiece and deserves to be performed everywhere. I am honored to have been able to use my position as a radio host to broadcast it a number of times. More often, I’ve played this movement, a real standout, which Kile introduced on my show: his setting of Psalm 113. It’s just so… timeless.
As a composer, a writer, a broadcaster, a photographer, and probably a whole lot of other things I don’t even know about, Kile radiates talent. But he’s also a hell of a nice guy.
Today is his birthday, so send him some love!
You’ll find lots of good things on his website, kilesmith.com.