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Tomas MartinAmerican double bass player, began studying double bass in Cincinnati (USA) with G. Roberts.
Country:
 USA |
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Biography of Thomas Martin
Thomas Martin (born 1940) is an American double bassist who began studying the instrument in Cincinnati, USA under G. Roberts. He later studied in New York with O. Zimmerman and then in Philadelphia with R. Scott. Martin has worked in orchestras in Israel, Canada (Montreal), and England (London, Birmingham, Academy of St Martin in the Fields), and has served as the principal double bassist in the English Chamber Orchestra. In 1990, he returned to the London Symphony Orchestra, where he had previously worked, and led the double bass section until the late 20th century.
Accomplishments
Martin has demonstrated his talent and skill as a solo double bassist, an orchestral player, a chamber performer, and a researcher of D. Bottesini's work. He has performed many of Bottesini's compositions, including previously unknown pieces, and has recorded numerous works by the Italian virtuoso and composer. Martin's recordings have been released on vinyl and compact discs, and he has also published three major articles that trace Bottesini's life and shed light on his conducting and composing activities.
One of Martin's favorite recordings of Bottesini's music is the Concerto in F-sharp minor, which he brilliantly performed with an orchestra and a partner violinist in the Grand Concert Duet. He also performed double bass duets with F. Petracchi, duets with vocalists, and the Concert Duet for Cello and Double Bass with an orchestra, based on themes from Bellini's opera "The Puritans," as well as fantasy pieces by Bottesini. Martin has performed concerts in various countries and participated in international gatherings of double bassists. He has always played on exceptional instruments, such as a bass made by Bergonzi. The Times newspaper referred to Martin as a "performer capable of turning his instrument into a singer." Many prestigious publications, including the English magazine Strad, have published enthusiastic reviews about the artist.
Teaching and Instrument Making
For many years, Martin has taught double bass at the London Guildhall School of Music and has conducted seminars and masterclasses with young musicians in Europe and the US. He has been invited to serve on the jury of international competitions in Italy, Germany, Russia (the S.A. Koussevitzky Memorial Competition in 1995), and the US. Martin's particular passion is his intense interest in string instruments made by ancient masters. As a master professional, he has already crafted several high-quality instruments and continues to successfully pursue this new profession.
