Role

:

Conductor

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Thomas Crawford was born on October 11, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Crawford began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. Crawford attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. He then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he received a Master of Music degree in conducting. In 1973, Crawford founded the American Classical Orchestra (ACO), a period-instrument ensemble dedicated to performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods. The ACO quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and innovative programming. Over the years, Crawford and the ACO have performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. They have also collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists, including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Joshua Bell. Crawford has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1999, he was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award, which is given annually to a conductor who has made a significant contribution to American music. He has also been awarded the National Endowment for the Arts' Conducting Fellowship and the New York State Council on the Arts' Music Composition Fellowship. One of Crawford's most notable achievements was his reconstruction of Mozart's unfinished opera, Zaide. Using Mozart's original sketches and notes, Crawford was able to complete the opera and give its world premiere in 2006. The production was widely praised for its authenticity and musicality. In addition to his work with the ACO, Crawford has also conducted numerous other orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as a guest conductor at several major music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival. Crawford is also a respected music educator and has taught at several universities, including the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Michigan. He has also served as a mentor to many young musicians and conductors. Throughout his career, Crawford has remained committed to promoting classical music and preserving its rich history. His innovative programming and dedication to authenticity have helped to make him one of the most respected conductors in the world of classical music.

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