Thomas Daniel Schlee (born October 26, 1957) is an Austrian composer, arts administrator, and organist.
Life and work
Thomas Daniel Schlee was born in Vienna and studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna with Michael Radulescu and Erich Romanovsky. He then earned a PhD in musicology and art history at Vienna University. During 1977-78, Schlee was an auditor in Olivier Messiaen's composition class in Paris and studied privately with composer and organist Jean Langlais. Upon returning to Austria, he also studied with noted Austrian composer Francis Burt.
Schlee has taught at a number of Austrian universities including the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna and Salzburg University.
He began his career as an arts administrator by serving as the artistic director of the International Bruckner Festival in Linz from 1990-98. He served as the deputy director of the International Beethoven Festival in Bonn from 1999-2003. In 2004, he became the director of the Carinthischer Sommer.
As a composer, Schlee has written works in all forms which have been widely performed and recorded by ensembles such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Warsaw Philharmonic. As an organist, he has made many recordings which have won awards including the Diapason d'Or and the German Record Critics' Award.
String Quartet Nr.4, op. 86 (2014/15)Suite, op. 82 (2012/13) for violin and pianoSymphony No.2, op. 81 (2010/13) for large orchestra"Rufe zu mir", op. 80 (2011/12) for organ and large orchestraHorai, op. 79 (2011/12) for organ and chamber orchestra"Was wir sind", op. 77 (2010/11), cantata for children's choir and orchestraWachsende Bläue, op. 76 (2010), for two solo violins and string ensembleString Trio, op. 75 (2008/11)2 Psalms, op. 74 (2004/10) for organ"Tränen", op. 73 (2003/09), nine dances for pianoConcerto for piano and orchestra, op. 70 (2008)"Ich, Hiob", op. 68 (2006/07), church operaSinfonia tascabile, op. 67 (2006) for orchestraKonzertoverture, Musik für ein Fest, op. 64 (2005) for orchestraMissa, op. 61 (2005) for baritone solo, mixed choir, brass, percussion, and organDie schöne Lau, op. 60 (2004) for soprano, speaker, and orchestraString Quartet Nr. 3 "Tempus Floridum" op. 56 (2003)und ich sah, op. 55 (2002–03) oratorio for soloists, chorus, and ensembleDer Kreuzweg unseres Herrn und Heilandes, op. 52 (2001) for organ and string orchestraSymphony No. 1, op. 51 (2000–01) for orchestraDe Profundis for viola and double bass, Op.43 (2000)Der Esel Hesékiël, op. 46 (1998–99) for narrator and orchestraOrchesterspiele, op. 45 (1997–98) for orchestraSonata da Camera, op. 42 (1996–97) for chamber orchestraLicht, Farbe, Schatten, op. 38 (1995–96) for ensembleConcertino, op. 36 (1995) for two piccolo trumpets (or oboes) and string orchestraWacht auf, Harfe und Saitenspiel, op. 35 (1994–95) for harp and string orchestraDer Baum des Heils, op. 33 (1993–94), oratorioAurora, op. 32 (1992–93) for orchestraRicercar, op. 31 (1990–92) for orchestraCinq Pièces , op. 29 (1990–92) for organDas Feuer des Herrn, op. 27 (1989) cantata for soloists, children's chorus, and chamber orchestraAlba for flute and viola, Op.26 (1986)String Quartet Nr. 2 op. 21 (1983–85, rev. 1997)... und mit einer Stimme rufen, op. 20 (1987) for orchestraDecorations and awards
1982 Promotion Prize for Music of Vienna1983 First prize in the composition competition of the Berlin Liedertafel1985 winner of the Composition Competition of Erding1989 winner of the Organ Composition Competition "Olivier Messiaen" Bologna1990 Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (France)1997 Joaquin Rodrigo Medal1998 Culture Prize of Upper Austria2002 Church Music Prize from the city of Neuss2003 Funding Prize for Music of the Austrian Federal Chancellery2005 Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters (France)2007 Cultural Medal of Upper Austria2010 Austrian Music Award2012 Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art2015 Grand decoration of honour in gold of the Federal State of Carinthia
