Thomas Wraith graduated with a Masters degree from the Royal Academy of Music in 2013, having previously studied music at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he held an Instrumental Award and a choral scholarship. He studies the cello with Josephine Knight and has played in masterclasses and received coaching from internationally acclaimed artists such as Steven Isserlis, Peter Bruns and Mario Brunello.
As a soloist, Thomas has performed around the UK in venues such as St. George’s, Bristol, West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge, and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Concerto performances include the Haydn Cello Concerto in C major, Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor and Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Violin, Cello and Gamelan Orchestra as part of the University of Cambridge Festival of Ideas.
Thomas has also played with a number of larger ensembles including Nonclassical (principal cellist), Multi-Story Orchestra (principal cellist), the Orion Orchestra, Kallion Ensemble (principal cellist), and the St. Endellion Festival Orchestra. As an orchestral musician he has performed in prestigious concert halls such as the Royal Festival Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Snape Maltings under eminent conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Marin Alsop and Edward Gardner. Thomas has taken part in side-by-side projects with the Britten Sinfonia and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Thomas has a great passion for chamber music and has performed a wide range of works with various successful ensembles. He has worked extensively with the Stilig Ensemble over the past eight years and also has given concerts with the Gehnyus String Trio as far afield as Austria.
Thomas’ interest in performing and developing New Music has led to a great many collaborations including playing live on BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’. Thomas has combined these performances with his own compositions and these have been performed across the country.
What’s on your playlist right now?
Röyksopp Melody A.M., Mendelssohn Piano Trio in D minor, Disclosure Settle, Haydn Piano Trios, Beethoven Late String Quartets, Pat Methany Still Life (Talking), Ravel String Quartet in F major, Joyshop Casual Sincerity, Debussy Pelléas et Mélisande, Britten Peter Grimes, Massive Attack Mezzanine.
Which three people, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Rostropovich – the ultimate legend who would have some of the most amazing stories
Bobby McFerrin – funny, brilliant musician and a great communicator
Jo Brand – a brilliant stand up and it would also be fascinating to talk to her about her time as a psychiatric nurse