Normally our TSO Publishing Coordinator Thomas Misson is the one asking all the questions – bringing you regular interviews with Australian composers. This time, the tables are turned and Tom’s the one facing a (friendly) grilling.
As our publishing coordinator, Tom manages our ever growing catalogue of contemporary music scores by Tasmanian and Australian composers, while also advocating for greater opportunities and recognition for our represented artists.
Outside of the TSO, Tom is also a composer, teacher and pianist.
As he prepares for a new album release and upcoming recital, we’ve asked Tom to share what’s inspiring him right now.
Hi Tom, please tell us how you got into this whole composing caper.
I came to composing relatively late at 17 or 18. I was a piano major until the census date at uni when I decided to give composition a go, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Composition is such a wide and holistic way to learn about music and fulfil my lifelong goal of becoming the best musical thinker, feeler, and maker I can.
Who and what do you draw inspiration from in your writing?
I’m interested in human psychology. Not just the concepts and phenomena within psychology, but the psychology of how we perceive and respond to our shared and universal cultural touchstones. I also think a lot about music written by Leos Janacek, Galina Ustvolskaya, Henri Dutilleux, Gyorgy Ligeti, and Kym Dillon.
What do you love most about your role co-ordinating the TSO’s music publishing arm?
It’s a great way to make a real impact on the Tasmanian music scene using my expertise.
On the flip-side, it gives me a great peek behind the curtain of the business side of music.
Seeing people who are great at marketing and promotion has given me more direction to improve at it myself – like many musicians, this doesn’t come naturally!
How do you handle writer’s block?
I don’t get writer’s block, and in fact, I get the opposite! I have so many sketchpads of manuscript and ideas for future pieces and not enough places to put them.
Catching any/all ideas that come up and organising them gives me lots of great jumping-off points for commissions when they arise.
Do you love or loathe a tight deadline?
Loathe a tight deadline. My north star is to create pieces with an attractive surface area, but with much depth and thought beneath it, and that takes time. I love the idea that somebody’s relationship with a piece of mine might grow and shift.
That being said, I can usually hit the ground running on a commission when needed because I have a lot of potential ideas ready to go.
As a composer and pianist, what are you working on right now?
I’m featured on the upcoming album A Listening Air from the Affinity Quartet. It’s a huge honour to be featured alongside some of my Australian heroes Brett Dean and Peter Sculthorpe, as well as the talented Alice Chance. It means so much to be in such good company.
There’s an upcoming recital in Hobart on 30 October (tickets here) that includes the world premiere of TSO Publishing-represented composer Don Kay’s Clarinet Sonata.
With clarinettist Derek Grice, I will be playing the Hindemith Sonata, Berg Vier Stucke, and a piece I wrote called Coulrophonia.
What else are you excited about?
On 8 November, there’s a massive concert featuring over 60 musicians, playing Don Kay’s music at St Mary’s Cathedral (details here).
From December 11 to 13, there are three concerts at Hobart Town Hall, featuring the work of many Tasmanian composers including Don Kay, Simon Reade, Simon Barber, Hellgart Mahler, Ron Nagorcka, and Dominic Flynn (tickets here).
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