Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 2006, Thomas Gould has established himself as one of the leading British violinists of the younger generation. He combines a busy solo career with the positions of leader of Aurora Orchestra, co-leader of Britten Sinfonia and guest leader of McGill Chamber Orchestra in Montreal.

As concerto soloist Thomas has collaborated with orchestras including Gävle Symfoniorkester (Sweden), Kammerphilharmonie Graz (Austria), Bath Philharmonia, Britten Sinfonia, London Soloists Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Concert Orchestra, Orchestra da Camera and Orchestra of the Swan. In 2008 he premiered Nico Muhly's concerto for electric violin with Aurora, premiered and recorded a new concerto by Christopher Ball with the Emerald Concert Orchestra, and performed Thomas Ades's violin concerto with London Contemporary Orchestra in LSO St. Luke's. Forthcoming concerto appearances in 2009 include Barbican Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Last Night of the St. Jude's Proms in London, Birmingham Town Hall, Ernen Festival (Switzerland), and the opening concert of the new Britten Studio in Aldeburgh (performing James MacMillan's A Deep but Dazzling Darkness).

Thomas has given recitals in the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, St. George's Bristol, and at festivals including the Perth Schubertiad, Chester Summer Music, Stratford-on-Avon, Hampstead & Highgate and Northern Aldborough. Festival appearances abroad include Verbier (Switzerland), Spoleto (Italy) and Nürnberg Kammermusik (Germany). Thomas was a member of the Artea String Quartet for five years and now maintains his passion for chamber music as a regular participant in Open Chamber Music at IMS Prussia Cove in Cornwall.

Thomas is also an accomplished jazz violinist, and has shared the stage with Québecoise singer Dorothée Berryman, saxophonist Tim Garland's Lighthouse Trio, and American singer-songwriter Sam Amidon. As well as using his main instrument, a 1754 Gennaro Gagliano violin, Thomas also plays a six-string electric violin made by John Jordan, kindly sponsored by Guinness Asset Management.

Having started violin lessons aged three with Sheila Nelson, Thomas's subsequent teachers included Simon Fischer, Joji Hattori and György Pauk. He has also gained greatly from playing to Ana Chumachenco and Zakhar Bron at the Verbier Festival Academy, as well as to Mauricio Fuks, David Takeno and Ivry Gitlis. His studies were supported by awards from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Musicians Benevolent Fund, Hattori Foundation and Craxton Memorial Trust.

Thomas is represented by Young Concert Artists Trust (YCAT). In 2008 he was picked by London's Evening Standard as a rising star in classical music, and in 2009 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM).

www.thomasgould.com

APRIL 2009 (425 words)

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