Fed: Tommy Tycho's charmed life continues with doctorate

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2007
Fed: Tommy Tycho's charmed life continues with doctorate

By Erin McWhirter, National Entertainment Writer

SYDNEY, April 3 AAP - With a career spanning six decades, Tommy Tycho's exceptional
musicianship has earned him a swag of high profile awards and the honour of working with
some of the world's finest performers.

While the virtuoso pianist and composer admits he accomplished too many career highlights
to pinpoint just one, he lists holding the Australian record for conducting nine Royal
Command Performances as one of the greatest honours.

Working his music wizardry to arrange compositions for US entertainer Sammy Davis Junior
and Welsh singer Shirley Bassey are other triumphs.

The Hungarian-born maestro will add another string to his bow when he receives an Honorary
Doctorate of Music from the University of Sydney tomorrow.

The doctorate recognises Tycho's contribution to the Australian music industry.

"When you are working you don't angle for acknowledgements like this and it came out
of the blue ... I was gobsmacked," the 78-year-old said from his Sydney home today.

"In reflection it signifies what I have doing for more than 63 years. It's (music)
is like oxygen and water for me. I can't imagine my existence without any kind of musical
activity."

During his professional life, Tycho has scored more than 1,500 pieces of music for
films and television including the medal ceremonies for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
and film compositions for Australian comedy flicks Reckless Kelly and Young Einstein.

Tycho is the first to acknowledge his life in showbiz is a privileged one, but it's
a far cry from his childhood years, where he spent time in a forced labour camp during
World War II, before fleeing Hungary bound for Australia.

However, through the hard times there has always been one constant in his life - music.

"I started to play the piano when I was three years old and it has accompanied me throughout
my life," Tycho said.

"Throughout my career I have been able to achieve things and been given things like
the MB from the Queen and the Order of Australia from the Governor-General, but I never
expected these things.

"I honestly can't believe that it's all happened to me. I must have lived a charmed
life up until now."

Tycho will be honoured with the doctorate in The Great Hall of Sydney University at
11.30 (AEST) tomorrow.

AAP em/cjh/de

KEYWORD: TYCHO (PIX AVAILABLE)

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