Thomas Rajna

Full biography Thomas Rajna

Thomas Rajna (21 December 1928 - 16 July 2021) was a British pianist and composer of Hungarian birth who had been domiciled in Cape Town in South Africa. He was a prolific composer and pianist who often performed and recorded his own two piano concertos , in addition to writing two operas. Rajna was known for his excitable personality and had a reputation for screaming and arguing during rehearsals and performances.

Rajna studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest and later in Paris with Nadia Boulanger. He moved to London in 1956 and soon established a successful career as a composer and pianist. Rajna was a highly regarded performer of the music of Béla Bartók, and his recordings of Bartók's piano music are considered some of the best available.

Rajna wrote music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, and solo piano music. His music often blended traditional Hungarian folk elements with more modernist techniques, resulting in a unique sound that was both accessible and challenging to audiences.

Despite his talent and success, Rajna was known for being difficult to work with at times, and his fiery personality led to several well-publicized arguments with conductors and other musicians throughout his career.

Thomas Rajna passed away on July 16, 2021, at the age of 92. His legacy as a composer and pianist continues to be celebrated by classical music enthusiasts around the world.