Time Zero (2014)- Saxophone Quartet   
[Three movements]

Elle quartet
Soprano Saxophone | Rita Pereira  
Alto Saxophone: Tine van den Geest  
Tenor Saxophone: Sara Martins  
Baritone Saxophone: Susana Araújo   

[studio recording 2016]

Time Zero I (2014)

I'm a Portuguese composer based in Amsterdam. I'm interested in surrealistic narratives, in inter-disciplinary collaborations and in virtual operas. Non-western cultures, cinema, physics or health disorders are commonly referenced in my works.

Huddersfield born composer Thomas Brown has worked with organisations such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Nieuw Ensemble, Aurora Orchestra, Red Note Ensemble, European Youth Brass Band, and Neon- Choir for Newest Music. Furthermore, his music has been performed at the BBC Proms and broadcast on national radio in both the UK and Netherlands. In 2016 musicians joined together to perform in a concert containing a selection of his chamber music and in 2017 his music formed part of the medals ceremonies of the Total BWF Badminton World Championships and Scottish Open Badminton Grand Prix, the former tournament broadcast to over 0.6 billion people worldwide. HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex was in attendance and requested to meet Thomas, as he’d heard another of his works in 2012. At the age of 15 he arranged music for Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts.

​Whilst Thomas believes it important to write what one wishes to hear, his music aims to be appealing to general audiences and “accessible”, yet still original and innovative. He regularly experiments with jazz harmony and polystylism, and has enjoyed writing works which have a sense of energy and forward momentum throughout, as well as ones of a more relaxed nature. His current interests include using tonal harmony in new ways and bright sounds, in terms of both harmony and timbre. One of his idols is the Austrian composer HK Gruber, whose music he has recently completed a paper on. 

​Thomas studied with Richard Ayres and Willem Jeths at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (generously supported by Moose International) following completion of undergraduate studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Prior to this, he was a student at Chetham’s School of Music, at which time he won the BBC Proms Inspire Young Composers’ Competition and was awarded the Douglas Steele Award.

​Conducting is another passion of Thomas’s; he enjoys directing his own works as well as others with student, professional, youth, and amateur ensembles and orchestras, including championship section brass bands. He grew up playing cornet and trumpet in brass bands, big bands, orchestras, and other ensembles. He also plays piano, has appeared as a percussionist at events such as the British and Scottish Open Brass Band Championships, and tutors a wide range of students. Mentoring is also part of his role as a BBC Proms Inspire Ambassador. He enjoys undertaking arts leadership roles and in 2017 ran a composers’ orchestral workshop at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Time Zero I (2014)

Nuno Lobo