Tommy Tycho

Thomas Tycho AM MBE DMus (11 April 19284 April 2013) was a Hungarian-born Australian pianist, conductor, composer and arranger. He was active in both classical music and pop.

He was associated with musical productions on Australian television for many years from its inception in 1956, including such programs as The Mavis Bramston Show. who had retired to raise a family. His musical life started as a child prodigy pianist. He played George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra at age 10. He and his parents had adopted Lutheranism in an attempt to disguise their Jewishness, There he met a Hungarian soprano named Eva Komor, who became his wife. He then lived in a nursing home where he received regular therapy; though his left side was paralysed, he still composed and played with his right hand.

Tycho died on 4 April 2013, aged 84, as a result of complications associated with pneumonia.

Compositions His compositions and arrangements include: 3 overtures 3 concertos (for trumpet, violin, piano) The Violin Concerto was written around 2000, but did not have its premiere until 10 April 2010; Maria Lindsay, soloist, played with the Lurline Chamber Orchestra at the Randwick Town Hall. television music (documentary series ANZAC, drama series Riptide, and others) film scores (Young Einstein, Reckless Kelly, many others)

In 2003 Tommy Tycho was commissioned by Symphony Australia to compose an overture for the 75th birthday celebrations of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. That same year he conducted the Queensland Orchestra for concerts with Anthony Warlow, and many others. He was the arranger and conductor for Warlow's album, Let's Face the Music; and he conducted the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in a Lounge concert.

Tycho wrote a series of special feature arrangements for Australian clarinetist Andy Firth, when Firth was featured as guest artist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 2006.

Discography Charting albums Title Album details Peak chartpositions AUS Duelling Pianos (with Vicki Tycho) Released: 1984 Format: Label: K-Tel International (NA649) 43

Honours and awards Among his many accolades can be counted: In 1977, Tycho was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) In 1987 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) In 1992 he won the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship Award, in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world In 2007 he was conferred the degree of Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Sydney.

Mo Awards The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Tommy Tycho was Patron of the Mo Awards for many years and won one award during this time.. (wins only) 1984 Tommy Tycho John Campbell Fellowship Award