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Ronald Thomas (born 1945) is a well known Australian born violinist.

Early Years

Born in the wheatbelt town of Kulin, a small town located in the Wheat Belt region approximately 260km south-east of Perth, Western Australia. His father Ivan, who along with his mother Linda had previously performed around Perth as part of the Thomas Concert Party, gave him violin lessons from the age of four. At 18, he left Australia to study in London and later in Switzerland under Max [|Max Rostal]. At 21, he won the Carl [|Carl Flesch] (Violin) Competition held in London, named in honour of the great Hungarian violinist. As acknowledgement of his success in England his parents rewarded him with a Guarnerius violin.

England

Following a recital at Wigmore Hall in London, he was offered concerto engagements with the Royal Philharmonic, Birmingham and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras, his performance of Bach's Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in particular earning him the line from London's Daily Telegraph: "He is destined to become among the small company of distinguished violinists" [citation required]. He began broadcasting for the BBC and was a concerto soloist at the first of the BBC Promenade Concerts. In 1976 he became Concertmaster, then Musical Director, of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta where, over ten years, he gave 950 concerts (250 as conductor), solo concerts, broadcasts and recordings. While continuing to give recitals and perform concertos throughout the country he was a member of the English Chamber Orchestra. Later as a member, concertmaster and soloist with Sir Neville [|Neville Marriner] and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, he performed in concerts, recordings and world tours for a number of years. He then formed his own group, the New London Soloists Ensemble, which toured the U.S.A. At this time he also frequently returned to play with and conduct the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO).

In the 1980s he was invited by Sir Georg [|Georg Solti] to be guest concertmaster for an Anniversary Series of Concerts by the London Philharmonic Orchestra appearing at the Endinburgh Festival and the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Return to Australia

In 1987, he returned to Australia to take on the role as the Artistic Director of the Australian Opera [|Opera Australia] and the Ballet Orchestra. During this period he formed the Soloists of Australia and performed at the Perth Festival and was also a guest lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium and the leader of the Sydney String Quartet where he remained for a number of years. He also held the positions of Head of Strings at Cranbrook School, and Head of Chamber Music at Trinity Grammar School.

Perth

Returning to Perth in 2015, he has continued to teach and has more recently established the WA String Quartet with Penny Reiss (violin), Bourby Webster (viola) and Sacha Yolande McCulloch (cello).

Ronald has also become a skilled luthier and currently performs with his hand crafted violin #8.

Influences

Yehudi [|Yehudi Menuhin]

Music Recordings

BBC

JS Bach Solo Sonata No. 3 in C Major - Largo

JS Bach Solo Sonata No. 3 in C Major - Fuga

Soloists of Austalia (Spotify)

Solists of Australia