Talon Smith: A New Voice in Classical Composition and Performance

With the release of his debut album DEBUT, pianist and composer Talon Smith establishes himself as a powerful new voice in the world of classical music. Brimming with virtuosic flair and emotional depth, the album’s original works evoke echoes of Romantic titans like Chopin and Rachmaninoff, yet they are unmistakably Smith’s own, crafted with structural precision and imaginative colour. In an interview, Smith reflects on his musical roots, creative process, and aspirations as a performer and composer.

Talon Smith Recording DEBUT at Skywalker Sound

For Smith, music has always been a vital aspect of his life. Growing up in a home filled with classical music, his early exposure formed a strong and enduring bond. Although his first instrument was the violin, it was the piano—introduced to him at five—that truly became his passion. He credits his initial piano teacher, Mr. Hammons, for fostering his uniqueness as a musician. “He had the insight to teach me as an individual,” Smith remembers, highlighting how his teacher tailored his approach to suit a gifted learner. Hammons not only facilitated Smith’s expressive development but was also instrumental in his path as a composer. At eight, noticing Smith’s musical talent, Hammons recommended that he use notation software to record his improvisations. This simple yet impactful advice significantly broadened Smith’s creative potential and established the foundation for the composer he is today.

Smith’s dual identity as a composer and performer is central to DEBUT. While the tracks on the album weren’t originally intended for recording, Smith tackled the project from a distinctive viewpoint: as a composer bringing his own work to life. “In truth, this is how I approach all my performances,” he explains. “Before it is notated, music is sound. What is written on the score is only an approximation of the sounds the composer imagined.”

For Smith, performance is not merely about technical execution; it is an act of sonic storytelling. He strives to read past the notes on the page to conjure the emotional and acoustic reality that a composer may have intended. In this way, he treats each performance as a living, breathing entity—one that resonates with listeners on a deeper, more soulful level.

While every piece in DEBUT holds personal significance for the composer, Smith highlights a few works that particularly resonate with him. The first movement of his Sonata stands out for its structural clarity. Anchored by three foundational themes, it demonstrates his command of traditional sonata form while offering melodic ingenuity and narrative cohesion.

Sonata in C Minor, Op. 2 – I. Con fervore

The Prelude in E minor is among Smith’s personal favourites. Poetic and introspective, the piece evokes a struggle between light and shadow, as if trying to escape into the sunlight before ultimately withdrawing into darkness. In contrast, the Prelude in B major reveals a more spontaneous and organic side of his creativity. “It basically wrote itself,” Smith notes, built upon a descending scale motif that propels the piece forward with elegance and ease.

Prelude in E minor

Prelude in B major

Smith’s playful side comes through in the Prelude in F-sharp major (Track 16), written in an unusual time signature of thirteen sixteenth notes per measure—a subtle nod to it being the thirteenth in the set. Despite its mathematical complexity, the piece flows naturally, almost like a waltz. Meanwhile, the Prelude in C minor (Track 20), one of the earliest composed for the album, is short, explosive, and unresolved, showcasing his ability to convey intensity in a compact musical form.

Prelude in F-sharp major

Prelude in C minor

Though known primarily as a solo pianist, Smith is no stranger to collaboration and has ambitions to expand into chamber music. While no chamber projects are currently underway, he has already completed a piano concerto that he plans to tour and is composing a symphonic poem, with more details to come.

“I’m sure I will compose something in that [chamber] genre at some point,” he says, hinting at the creative possibilities that lie ahead. This openness to diverse formats speaks to his versatility and wide-ranging musical interests.

Smith’s schedule is as busy as his imagination. In addition to preparing new performances of works by other composers, he continues to write music for future recordings and scores. Audiences eager to follow his artistic journey can find updates on his social media and official website, www.talonsmithmusic.com.

In a musical landscape often dominated by interpretations of past masters, Talon Smith offers something both rare and refreshing: a composer-performer with an authentic voice, deep musical roots, and a fearless drive to create. Whether exploring the emotional contours of a minor prelude or crafting a full-fledged sonata, Smith brings a unique blend of intellect, sensitivity, and passion to every note, establishing him as a rising figure in today’s classical scene.