Thomas Simaku

Thomas Simaku (born 18 April 1958, in Kavajë) is an Albanian-born British composer. Education Simaku studied composition between the years 1978–1982 at the Academy of Music and Arts of Albania under Tonin Harapi. After graduation he was nominated as Director of Music at the Palace of Culture of Permet, in southern Albania. In 1991 Simaku moved to England to study for a PhD in composition with David Blake at the University of York, which he was awarded in 1996. Prizes and Awards Notable prizes and awards that Simaku has won include: * * 2009: British Composer Award (Instrumental) for Soliloquy V: Flauto Acerbo. * 2013: First Prize in the International Composition Competition for Lutoslawski’s 100th Birthday for Concerto for Orchestra. Performances Simaku’s music has been performed throughout the UK and Europe, as well as in North America, Australia and the Far East. In 1995 his work Epitaph for String Orchestra was selected by the International Jury for the ISCM World Music Days in Germany - the first ever Albanian music to be included in this prestigious festival. Subsequently, Simaku’s works have been selected by the International Jury at the World Music Days of 1999, 2000, 2001,