Thomas Tirino is recognized as a leading authority and one of the finest interpreters of the music of Ernesto Lecuona. He has been the major force responsible for a large revival in the piano music of Lecuona, unearthing many long-forgotten manuscripts, scores, and researching the composer’s own rare recordings, piano rolls and unique performing style.

Working with the Lecuona estate, he has received the endorsement of many of Lecuona’s heirs. Thomas Tirino has performed concerts and given master-classes and lectures on Lecuona’s music in the United States, Europe and Latin America.

He has given the world premières of many of Lecuona’s works, including Rapsodia Argentina, in Spain, and subsequently its US première in Lincoln Center, New York City.

Thomas Tirino is presently recording the Complete Piano Works of Ernesto Lecuona, a series of discs on the BIS label, in honour of the centenary of Lecuona’s birth. The series has won much critical acclaim in many publications, including Thomas Tirino’s appearance on the cover of Fanfare.

Thomas Tirino has appeared as recitalist and with orchestras in the major cities of the United States, Europe and Asia. He has performed at the Bolshoi and Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Bolshoi Philharmonic Halls in St. Petersburg and Minsk, the Toronamon Hall in Tokyo and the Lincoln Center in New York City.

About his Lincoln Center debut the New York Times wrote: ‘He has a big technique. Just how big became evident.’

His many performances with orchestra include appearances with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Cracow Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife, Romanian State Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Little Orchestra Society, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Portland Symphony Orchestra. Thomas Tirino has toured Eastern Europe extensively.

Among his numerous gold medals at international competitions are those at the PTNA International Competition, NHK-TV Award and Mikirnoto Prize in Tokyo, Japan; the Gina Bachauer award from the Juilliard School of Music, the Judith Grayson Memorial Scholarship, and a Diploma/Certificate of Honour at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

He has received citations of honour from the Paderewski Foundation and from the Yusupov Palace in St Petersburg, Russia (he was the first American ever to perform at the latter venue). He has served as a juror at international competitions, given numerous masterclasses and lectures, and has appeared on radio and television throughout the world. He remains a constantly active recording artist.

Thomas Tirino studied at the Juilliard School of Music; he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music there, studying under Sascha Gorodnitzski. Thomas Tirino is a Steinway Artist and a member of BMI.