'Fingers
Ablaze' exclaimed Time magazine about Thomas Tirino when that magazine chose
Volume 1 of his Lecuona series as one of the ten best recordings of
1995 from all musical categories.
"Thomas
Tirino is a man with a mission. His approach is monumental and
comprehensive ... He has a big technique" (New
York Times)
"A
virtuoso, he is wonderful!"(In
Tune, Japan)
"His
cut-glass virtuosity and wickedly seductive charm are formidable."(Gramophone)
"The
public was ecstatic."(Tribuna,
Havana)
"A
truly unforgettable experience." (St.
Petersburg Express, Russia)
Thomas Tirino is
recognized as a leading authority and one of the finest interpreters
of the music of Ernesto Lecuona. He has been the major force
responsible for a large revival in the piano music of Lecuona,
unearthing many long-forgotten manuscripts, scores, and researching
the composer's own rare recordings, piano rolls and unique
performing style.
Working with the Lecuona estate, he has received the endorsement
of many of Lecuona's heirs. Thomas Tirino has performed concerts and
given master-classes and lectures on Lecuona's music in the United
States, Europe and Latin America.
He has given the world premières of many of Lecuona's works,
including Rapsodia Argentina, in Spain, and subsequently its
US première in Lincoln Center, New York City.
Thomas Tirino is presently recording the Complete Piano Works of
Ernesto Lecuona, a series of discs on the BIS label, in honour of
the centenary of Lecuona's birth.
Two pieces from the piano works of Ernesto Lecuona, played by
Thomas Tirino:
The series has won much critical acclaim in many publications,
including Thomas Tirino's appearance on the cover of Fanfare.
Thomas Tirino has appeared as recitalist and with orchestras in
the major cities of the United States, Europe and Asia. He has
performed at the Bolshoi and Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Bolshoi
Philharmonic Halls in St. Petersburg and Minsk, the Toronamon Hall
in Tokyo and the Lincoln Center in New York City.
About his Lincoln Center debut the New York Times wrote:
'He has a big technique. Just how big became evident.'
His many performances with orchestra include appearances with the
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Cracow Radio Symphony
Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife, Romanian State
Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the
Little Orchestra Society, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra,
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Portland Symphony Orchestra.
Thomas Tirino has toured Eastern Europe extensively.
Among his numerous gold medals at international competitions are
those at the PTNA International Competition, NHK-TV Award and
Mikirnoto Prize in Tokyo, Japan; the Gina Bachauer award from the
Juilliard School of Music, the Judith Grayson Memorial Scholarship,
and a Diploma/Certificate of Honour at the International Tchaikovsky
Competition in Moscow.
He has received citations of honour from the Paderewski
Foundation and from the Yusupov Palace in St Petersburg, Russia (he
was the first American ever to perform at the latter venue). He has
served as a juror at international competitions, given numerous
masterclasses and lectures, and has appeared on radio and television
throughout the world. He remains a constantly active recording
artist.
Thomas Tirino studied at the Juilliard School of Music; he
received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music there,
studying under Sascha Gorodnitzski. Thomas Tirino is a Steinway
Artist and a member of BMI.
