Thomas Simaku

Professor Thomas Simaku is a renowned composer and academic at the University of York, where he holds the position of Professor of Composition within the School of Arts and Creative Technologies. His career spans over three decades, marked by prestigious awards such as the British Composer Award (2009) and the First Prize in the International Competition for Lutosławski’s 100th Birthday (2013). He earned a PhD in Composition from the University of York (1996) after studies at the Albanian State Conservatoire in Tirana (1983). His research focuses on European Modernism, East-European musical modalities, and contemporary orchestration techniques.

Simaku has been affiliated with institutions like the Tanglewood Music Centre (1996) and the ‘Hanns Eisler’ Academy in Berlin (2007). His compositions, such as the Concerto for Orchestra and the Soliloquy series, have been performed globally by ensembles like the Arditti Quartet and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. His works blend ancient and modern musical elements, creating visceral soundscapes praised for their originality and depth.

He has secured grants including the AHRC Fellowship (2000–2003) and the PRS Foundation Award (2018). Simaku’s discography includes a Naxos release (2008) and upcoming BIS Records projects. His teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate courses in composition, orchestration, and East-European classical traditions.