Thomas Smetryns studied composition with Godfried-Willem Raes, and guitar, lute and theorbo with Ida Polck and Philippe Malfeyt at the Ghent Conservatory. As a composer he is very interested in the search for a new, experimental musical practice that remains anchored in an historical and/or social (sub)consciousness. He shares this interest with the Americans Brent Wetters and Jonathon Kirk; together, they form the composers’ collective “Medusa”.
Smetryns has written works for such artists as the Spectra Ensemble, Daan Vande Walle, trumpet player Jason Price, M&M ensemble, and the HERMESensemble. He is also active as a lutenist in the Oberon Consort, which is specialised in the Italian Renaissance and Early Baroque periods, combining this with other freelance activities. In his work as a DJ of exclusively 78 RPM records he again deals with placing the musical past in a contemporary context. Thomas Smetryns teaches analysis of 20th-century music at the Ghent Conservatory and guitar at the Oostende Conservatory.

©2005 Delphine Mandart, for Flanders Music Centre and MATRIX

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