# Thomas Ludwig

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**Thomas Ludwig** is an American [composer](/source/Composer) of [classical music](/source/Classical_music) and a [symphony](/source/Symphony) [conductor](/source/Conducting). His works have been performed and recorded with orchestras such as the [London Symphony Orchestra](/source/London_Symphony_Orchestra),[1] [Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra](/source/Indianapolis_Symphony_Orchestra),[2] and the New York City Symphony,[3] and have won prizes at the [Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards](/source/Kennedy_Center_Friedheim_Awards) in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington,_D.C.) and the [Indiana State University](/source/Indiana_State_University) Contemporary Music Festival.[4]

Former adjunct professor of music at [American University](/source/American_University)[5] in Washington, D.C., Thomas Ludwig is currently the founder and music director of the Ludwig Symphony Orchestra[6] and the Beethoven Chamber Orchestra[7] in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta). He has conducted orchestras internationally including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Odessa Symphony Orchestra,[8] the Orchestra Da Camera Fiorentina in Italy, [OFUNAM](/source/OFUNAM) in Mexico City, and in the United States at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., [Dorothy Chandler Pavilion](/source/Dorothy_Chandler_Pavilion) in Los Angeles, [San Francisco Opera House](/source/San_Francisco_Opera_House), the [Lyric Opera of Chicago](/source/Lyric_Opera_of_Chicago) and the [Metropolitan Opera House](/source/Metropolitan_Opera_House_(Lincoln_Center)) in New York.[9]

## Life and career

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Ludwig began early studies on [violin](/source/Violin) there with [Mischa Mischakoff](/source/Mischa_Mischakoff) and then attended the [Juilliard School](/source/Juilliard_School) in New York with a full scholarship-graduating in violin studies with [Ivan Galamian](/source/Ivan_Galamian) and [viola](/source/Viola) studies with [Paul Doktor](/source/Paul_Doktor).[1][10] At the age of 22, he became music director of the New York City Symphony performing symphonic concerts at [Lincoln Center](/source/Lincoln_Center).[11] In 1978 and 1979 he served as resident conductor for [Mikhail Baryshnikov](/source/Mikhail_Baryshnikov) and [American Ballet Theatre](/source/American_Ballet_Theatre) at the Metropolitan Opera House and on tour across the United States.[12][13]

In 1980, Thomas Ludwig conducted the London Symphony Orchestra at [Abbey Road Studios](/source/Abbey_Road_Studios) and recorded his *Symphony in Two Movements*.[14] *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* described his symphony as "vividly orchestrated, possesses tremendous emotional intensity, and yet is succinct and skillful in its control of form".[14] In 1982 Ludwig's symphony *Age of Victory* was premiered at the Inter-American Music Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and was referred to as "Ludwig's Eloquent 'Victory'" by *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*.[15] The same symphony was performed again later that year as part of the Kennedy Center Friedheim Competition, the performance was broadcast over [NPR](/source/NPR) and [Voice of America](/source/Voice_of_America).[16]

Ludwig's music ranges from [chamber music](/source/Chamber_music) to large orchestral works including symphony, [chorus](/source/Chorus_form), and [soloists](/source/Solo_(music)). His second symphony premiered in Mexico City with the [Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM](/source/OFUNAM) led by Maestro Jorge Velazco. Ludwig's *String Symphony* was premiered in Florence, Italy and was broadcast on Rome TV and his *Four Lyric Songs* for [mezzo-soprano](/source/Mezzo-soprano) was premiered by the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City and broadcast live in Central and South America on [Grupo Radio Centro](/source/Grupo_Radio_Centro).[17] Ludwig's *Violin Concerto* premiered in Miami by the [University of Miami](/source/University_of_Miami) with violinist [Mark Peskanov](/source/Mark_Peskanov) and conductor [Thomas Sleeper](/source/Thomas_Sleeper).[18] The Miami *[Sun-Sentinel](/source/Sun-Sentinel)* called it "strikingly passionate, lush, and lyrical".[19]

## Selected works

### Symphonic

- *Symphony No. 1* (1982)
- *Symphony No. 2* (1989)
- *Symphony No. 3* (2009)
- *Symphony No. 4* for chorus and soloists (2015)
- *Symphony No. 5* (2016)
- *Overture Fantasie* for orchestra (1986)
- *Violin Concerto* for violin and orchestra (1994)
- *Four Songs* for mezzo-soprano and orchestra (1998)
- *Piano Concerto* for piano and orchestra (2007)
- *Adagietto* for orchestra (2010)
- *An Angel Awaits* for soprano and orchestra (2015)
- *The Loneliness is Lifted* for tenor solo, orchestra, and chorus (2015)
- *I'm a Ballet Girl* for three dancers, actress, and orchestra (2015)

### Chamber music

- Woodwind Quintet *Two Divertissements* (1985)
- *String Quartet No. 1* (1985)
- *Sinfonia No. 1* for chamber orchestra (1987)
- *Pecume* for bass vocalist and various instruments (1986)
- *Song for Nicholas* for violin and piano (1990)
- *Piano Quartet* (1996)
- String Symphony *Four Divertissements* (2000)
- *Concerto for Piano and Strings* (2005)

### Transcriptions

- *Ashkelone Suite* for orchestra (1999)
- *Offenbach* introduction and bolero for cello and orchestra (2000)
- Sarasate *Zapateado* for violin and orchestra (2002)
- *Fred and Ginger* ballet suite for orchestra (2004)
- [Beethoven](/source/Beethoven) *Waldstein* for strings and chorus (2015)

## Awards

- Third place winner of the Kennedy Center Friedheim Award for instrumental music composition, [1982](/source/Kennedy_Center_Friedheim_Award#1982)
- Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival Composers Competition Winner, 1986[3]

## References

1. ["Highly Exciting Works in the Copland--Schuman Tradition"](http://www.albanyrecords.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=3c09b4414f1dfecdf51156b8f8af7b6d&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TROY195&Store_Code=AR&search=Thomas+Ludwig&offset=&filter_cat=&PowerSearch_Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=). *Albany Records*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Goldthwaite, Thomas (September 21, 1985). ["Zealous concert has small audience"](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/106175210/). *The Indianapolis Star*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Barry, Ann (November 30, 1975). ["Arts and Leisure Guide"](https://www.nytimes.com/1975/11/30/archives/arts-and-leisure-guide-theater-arts-and-leisure-guide-arts-and.html?_r=0). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. ["Contest Winners"](https://www.indstate.edu/cas/cmf/history/contest-winners). *Indiana State University*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Slominski, Jill (September 10, 1982). ["DPA's Scheduled Gems"](http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/APA/WRLC/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=AUE%2F1982%2F09%2F10&id=Ar01103&sk=E55E353E). *Eagle*. American University. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Calmes, Holley (10 November 2010). ["Ludwig Symphony Orchestra to present multi-faceted concert"](http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/art-beat-ludwig-symphony-orchestra-to-present-multi-faceted-concert/article_ccd73268-a9d4-51b5-baa7-2464167fdf6a.html). *Gwinnett Daily Post*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. ["Ludwig Symphony Orchestra"](http://www.exploregeorgia.org/listing/3017-ludwig-symphony-orchestra). *Georgia*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. ["The Klezmer Concerto II. Dance of the Seven Circles"](http://www.oferbenamots.com/video/). *Ofer Ben-Amots*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Kisselgoff, Anna (May 12, 1978). ["Ballet Theater: *Other Dances* in Old Slavonic"](https://www.nytimes.com/1978/05/12/archives/ballet-theater-other-dances-in-old-slavonic.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. ["American Symphonies"](http://www.musicweb-international.com/Ntl_discogs/American_Symphonies/american_symphonies2.htm). *MusicWeb International*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Hughes, Allen (February 17, 1975). ["4 Concerts Devoted to Ives Music Include 72 Songs"](https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/17/archives/4-concerts-devoted-to-ives-music-include-72-songs.html?_r=2). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Anderson, Jack (June 3, 1978). ["American Ballet Theater Revives Tetley's *Gemini*"](https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/03/archives/american-ballet-theater-revives-tetleys-gemini.html?_r=0). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Anderson, Jack (April 24, 1978). ["Ballet: Two Casts For *Swan Lake*"](https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/24/archives/new-jersey-pages-ballet-two-casts-for-swan-lake.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. ["Violin Concerto/Symphony in Two Movements"](https://www.dramonline.org/albums/thomas-ludwig-violin-concerto-symphony-in-two-movements/notes). *DRAM*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. McLellan, Joseph (May 10, 1982). ["Ludwig's Eloquent *Victory*"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1982/05/10/ludwigs-eloquent-victory/48cb7d4a-d96c-44af-8f95-58a6d997ae40/). *The Washington Post*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. McLellan, Joseph (August 23, 1982). ["Finalists Named in Kennedy Center-Friedheim Competition For New American Music"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1982/08/23/finalists-named-in-kennedy-center-friedheim-competition-for-new-american-music/13b4af05-57ed-47fc-bb83-ba982c8a5422/). *The Washington Post*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. [""An International Festival Concert" at Gwinnett Center"](http://gwinnett.jarrellsystems.com/2014/02/07/an-international-festival-concert-at-gwinnett-center-november-3-2013/). *Gwinnett Magazine*. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. ["Ludwig: Violin Concerto, Symphony No. 1."](https://web.archive.org/web/20160916084348/https://business.highbeam.com/3872/article-1G1-18746583/ludwig-violin-concerto-symphony-no-1). *American Record Guide*. September 1, 1996. Archived from [the original](https://business.highbeam.com/3872/article-1G1-18746583/ludwig-violin-concerto-symphony-no-1) on September 16, 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

1. Smith, Tim (October 25, 1994). ["Intriguing Premiere Closes Festival Miami"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160916043959/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-10-25/lifestyle/9410240205_1_bella-davidovich-festival-premiere-concerto). *Sun-Sentinel*. Archived from [the original](http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-10-25/lifestyle/9410240205_1_bella-davidovich-festival-premiere-concerto) on September 16, 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.

## External links

- [Beethoven Chamber Orchestra](http://www.beethovenchamberorchestra.org/)
- [Thomas Ludwig](https://www.facebook.com/Thomas-Ludwig-Composer-Conductor-128718100506518/) on Facebook
- [Thomas Ludwig](https://soundcloud.com/thomasludwigusa) on SoundCloud
- [Thomas Ludwig](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyR-poMsSWI) on YouTube
- [Thomas Ludwig](https://twitter.com/ludwigsymphony) on Twitter

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Thomas Ludwig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Ludwig) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Ludwig?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.