Thomas Matthews

British classical violinist, conductor, and Professor of Violin. Born 9 May 1907 in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England, UK. He was only fifteen when he was appointed a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and within a year, he achieved the further distinction of being admitted to the ranks of the Hallé Orchestra. He held these two appointments for ten years resigning in 1936. In 1939, he accepted an invitation to return to the reconstructed Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as leader. Shortly afterwards, however, a similar invitation came from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and for one season he led both of these orchestras, but in the following year he resigned his Liverpool appointment. Former Leader of the London Symphony Orchestra (1952-1953). He moved to Australia in 1959 as leader and deputy conductor of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. In 1962, he took over in Hobart and stayed with the Orchestra there until 1968. During 1946-1947 he was offered the head professorship of the violin at the Royal Manchester College of Music, an appointment which he still holds with a professorship at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1940, he married Eileen Ralph at Marylebone, London, England, UK.