Tomáš Svoboda (composer)
Tomáš Svoboda (born December 6, 1939) is a Czech-American contemporary classical composer and pianist, whose debut took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia on September 7, 1957, with the world premiere of his Symphony No. 1 ("Of Nature") with the FOK Prague Symphony conducted by Václav Smetáček. Svoboda's catalog contains over 200 compositions, including 6 symphonies, 5 concerti. His music is performed worldwide and recordings of more than 50 works have now been released. Svoboda's Piano Trios CD recording received a 2001 "Critics Choice Award" from the American Record Guide and his Marimba Concerto received recognition  in a 2003 Grammy Award nomination for the Oregon Symphony. Biography. Svoboda was born in Paris, France. A Professor Emeritus from Portland State University, Mr. Svoboda composed his first music at age nine. He was a professor at PSU for 27 years. There have been over 1,200 performances of his music.