Stuart Thomson
Principal Double Bass
Supported by Patricia Leary
When Stuart plays with the full orchestra you can usually spot him at the front right of the stage with fellow double bass musicians.
‘Being the small sized orchestra we are means there are no passengers – everyone contributes and no one feels like they don’t matter.’
About Stuart
Since joining the TSO in 2003, Stuart has premiered two double bass concertos – Tan Dun’s Wolf Totem (Australian premiere) and Richard Mills’ Fantastic Bestiary (world premiere).
Born in Edinburgh, Stuart studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and played in the UK’s National Youth Orchestra.
He has worked with the London Symphony and Philharmonia orchestras and the Hong Kong Philharmonic, as well as the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Stuart moved to Australia in 2001 to play with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and, before joining the TSO, he was Associate Principal with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Did you know?
Stuart’s beautiful double bass is an unnamed Italian instrument, made in roughly 1740.
As a kid, Stuart wanted to be a train driver, airline pilot, or environmental scientist. ‘The bass wasn't a factor until I was about 16. I wish I had known what it would be like to travel with a double bass and how much it would limit my choice of car!’.
Fellow Musicians
Vacancy
Tutti Double Bass
Matthew McGrath
Tutti Double Bass
Supported by Catherine & David Hamilton