Tomas Svoboda

Tomas Svoboda (1939–2022) was a Czech-American composer known for his vibrant, rhythmically dynamic works that blended Central European folk influences with modernist flair. Born in Paris to Czech musician parents, he grew up in Prague, where he began composing by age 9. His family fled Communist Czechoslovakia in 1964, settling in Oregon, where he later taught at Portland State University for over 30 years. A prolific artist, Svoboda wrote symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and solo pieces—many infused with his love for nature and Czech heritage. Recent releases like *Orchestral Works by Tomas Svoboda* and *Three Quartets* showcase his knack for weaving intricate textures with playful energy. His music, championed by ensembles worldwide, earned accolades like a Guggenheim Fellowship and left a lasting mark on 20th-century classical music.