Untimely death of a recording legend
NewsWe have been notified of the passing of Thom Moore, quadruple-Grammy winning producer of exceptional Cleveland-based Telarc recordings and a mensch of the highest order. Initial reports say he died of an inoperable brain tumour.
Thomas C. Moore won his first Grammy in 2003 for the Atlanta Symphony’s recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony. Two years later he was named Producer of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
Aside from producing, Thom played as an oboist with the Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, In Europe he was Solo First Oboist of the first Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, working with Leonard Bernstein and Sergiu Celibidache.
The composer Jennifer Higdon writes: I am totally heartbroken…my sweet, gentle, genius of a friend and wonderful human being, Thom Moore, has left us suddenly. I so mourn for Doug, the Telarc family, and the world at large for the loss of this gentle soul. Thom, I am going to miss you so much…we have so many memories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your skill and brilliance in the recording process, your stories, our laughter, and the light that you brought to the world.
Elaine Lee Martone: Thom Moore! I love you, dear friend, with all my heart, and I will carry you with me all my days. I have so many stories and memories of our time together. It’s not enough. My heart is broken for our friend family, music family, recording family and all who you touched with your kindness, passion, hilarity, love. And especially for your incredible husband, Douglas Bunker, mom Sally and dad Dick and sisters Sara-Lynn and Karen and families. An inoperable brain tumor took you within 2 weeks. Please give us the courage and strength to support each other in this time of loss and heartache.Fly like the wind, dear Zippy.
Zsolt Bognar: Thom Moore’s untimely passing is the type of shock that doesn’t soon fade. Oboist and multiple Grammy-winning producer, including at Telarc where he was producer and senior editor. As oboist he studied with John Mack and worked with Bernstein and Celibidache; in the community he emanated a seriousness about music but also had a great sense of humor. Rest In Peace Thom
Yulia Gorenman: Beyond shocked and devastated learning about passing of my wonderful friend Thom Moore. I am in total shock and disbelief as I am writing it. This cannot be true.
Rest In Peace, my wonderful friend…❤️
P. S. We talked about myriad of things. Music, recordings, friendships, roses, life in general. He was funny as hell. He was an amazing human being, thoughtful, kind and supporting. We had great plans making a recording together. His recordings were hands down best. Amazing in every sense.
I cannot believe this. I am so sad.
The article says he died of a brain tumour. You need to read more carefully.
To my ear, Southern accents come in three flavors, to wit: lilt, twang, and drawl. Thom’s lilt and his winning smile perfectly announced his grace, kindness, and humor. We were colleagues in the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, which served the late Cleveland-San Jose Ballet and Cleveland Opera. He was a peerless musician, and, yes, a mensch. Dearly missed. Condolences to Doug, the love of his life, and to his family.
Classmate of mine in the 80s at NC School of the Arts. Fabulous musician. Always knew he’d go someplace with his talents. RIP.
Thom was a great artist. His productions skills were unmatched. He became a dear friend as well. From all your friends at Skywalker Sound, rest in peace dear Thom.