Tomáš Thon (*1962) – organ
Graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (prof. Milans Šlechta) and the Conservatoire National Rueil-Malmaison in Paris (prof. Susan Landale, Marie-Claire Alain).
He took part in many organ masterclasses (Czech Republic, Poland, France), won 2nd prize in the Young Organists Competition in Opava and was a finalist in international competitions in France and Germany.
He was awarded a grant by the Czech Music Fund for his interpretation of organ works by Petr Eben and this enabled him to study them under the guide of the Master himself.
At his concerts he focuses mostly on music of the 20th century and the Baroque epoch with a stress on its authentic performance.
He has given many concerts in the main Parisian churches and played a series of concerts with the legendary trumpeter Maurice André.
Another project of great importance was the opening concert of the Old Testament in Art International Festival (1995) where he performed, together with the Israel ambassador Moshe Yegar, the composition by Petr Eben Job for organ and narrator. Since 2004 he performe the last organ cycle by P. Eben – The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Hearth.
In collaboration with Czech Radio he made a complete recording of the organ works by D. Zipoli and J. K. Kuchař and other old Czech Masters. CD recordings for label Supraphon, Studio Matouš, Radioservis.
He has repeatedly played at the festivals Janáček’s May, Brno Organ Festival, International Organ Festival in Oliwa, Leżajsk (Poland) and Peter Dvorský International Music Festival.
Tomáš Thon receives regular invitations as a jury member for national and international competitions (Opava, Vamberk, Italy, Poland) and teaches at international organ masterclasses (France, Poland, Austria, USA). Since 1999 – 2011 he taught organ in several conservatoires (Kroměříž, Ostrava, Opava, Olomouc).
He founded a music publishing house ARTTHON that specialises in publishing mainly Czech organ music of the 16th – 18th centuries.
In 2001-2008 he founded and the International Festival of Baroque Organ Music in Opava.
In 2017 and 2018 he completed his doctoral studies at the University of Ostrava and Charles University in Prague.
Tomáš Thon has toured in many European countries, Algeria and the USA. (http://www.artthon.cz); (http://www.musicologica.cz)
