Violin + Viola
2026
Thomas Kemp is an acclaimed conductor and artistic director renowned for his passionate advocacy and ground breaking programming that places contemporary music into its historical context. He was recently praised in The Times for “superb artistry.”
Thomas is regularly in demand as a guest conductor in the UK and Europe working with the BBC Symphony; National Symphony Orchestra, Dublin; London Sinfonietta; London Mozart Players; Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment; Swedish Chamber Orchestra; City of London Sinfonia; Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra; Fretwork; Ensemble Variances and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
Thomas is the Music Director of Chamber Domaine, which is at the forefront of ensembles focusing on 20th and 21st century music. In 2022, the ensemble received five star reviews in the national press for Six Brandenburgs: Six Commissions – giving world premieres of new works by Brian Elias, Michael Price, Deborah Pritchard, Daniel Kidane, Joseph Phibbs and Stevie Wishart alongside the Brandenburg Concertos which has been repeated at festivals across the UK and at Wigmore Hall in June 2025. In 2026/27 the ensemble have a series of concerts in London, Paris and Normandie.
He is the Artistic Director and Founder of Music@Malling which brings world-class music to people’s doorsteps through concerts and outreach. Music@Malling has an annual festival held each September and a summer series held in historic venues in and around West Malling, Kent. Music@Malling has year around outreach which engages hundreds of people in creative activities and reaches many people who would not otherwise engage with the arts. Acclaimed for its innovative programming, Music@Malling promotes contemporary music alongside classical and jazz. Music@Malling was featured in The Guardian – 10 Best Concerts and Operas – and was described as “a rewarding and uplifting hit.”
Thomas has an award winning discography including acclaimed recordings of Mark-Anthony Turnage, Ned Rorem, Arvo Pärt, Judith Bingham, Brian Elias and Eleanor Alberga. His recent recording of Alberga with the BBC Symphony and the Castalian Quartet was Orchestral Choice in BBC Music Magazine and two discs of music by Brian Elias were Editor’s Choice in The Gramophone and hailed as the best contemporary music recordings of 2024.
Thomas has enjoyed an international career as a soloist, concertmaster, and chamber musician with many renowned orchestras and ensembles and has led many recording sessions for TV and film in London. The Strad recently commented: “He displays a remarkable variety of tone in playing that’s lyrical yet assertive, and there’s a real sense of sincerity to his glowing interpretations.”