Thomas Pinschof was born in Vienna and studied flute with Camillo Wanausek at the Vienna Conservatorium, Aurèle Nicolet, Karl-Heinz Zöller, Severino Gazzelloni, Jean-Pierre Rampal and also 17th and 18th century performance with Professor Nikolaus Harnoncourt.

Thomas left the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in order to concentrate on the work with his "ENSEMBLE I", a chamber music group which he founded in 1971. He won several awards at International competitions (Concorso "Severino Gazzelloni") and from organisations such as the Alban Berg Foundation. To study chamber music with Janos Starker and Menahem Pressler (Beaux Arts Trio), he went to the Indiana University in the United States.

He was invited to Melbourne with ENSEMBLE I by the Victorian College of the Arts as Artists in Residence in 1976. Mr Pinschof now lives and works in Australia and continues to travel extensively, giving masterclasses and solo performances in most parts of the world. Renowned for his exciting teaching methods, he has taught at the Vienna Conservatorium, the Canberra School of Music, the Faculty of Music at the University of Melbourne and at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Since music has always fascinated him, Thomas also writes articles for magazines like "The Flautist" and "The Australian Music Teacher" in Australia, "Flutes Notes" in London, "Traversières" in Paris and "Tibia" in Germany. His publications include editions of music, compositions and transcriptions for flute ensemble, orchestra and chamber music in various combinations for publishers like Doblinger, Universal Edition, Zimmerman and Zen-On on well as his own series "Pinschofon". His recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, Adel-Cord, Phillips and many major TV and radio stations in all parts of the world as well as invitations to festivals, have brought him international acclaim.

Pinschof's special concern lies in broadening and improving the traditional and tonal limitations of the flute. In the course of his research he developed the "Pinschofon", a special bass flute named after him.

Magic Flutes International only sells flutes that Thomas plays and recommends.

Click here to read Thomas' Submission to the National Review of School Music Education

Mit Schmaltz und ein paar schnellen Sachen, berühmt und lustig, ganz nach Maß, - für Herz sowohl als Ohr etwas, - kann man den Hörern Freude machen. Da laßt sich leicht die Nacht durchwachen! Von Piccolo bis Kontrabaß macht's auch dem Spieler sicher Spaß und der Purist muß trotzdem lachen. Zum Schluß jedoch ein ernstes Wort: Der Neid wird gänzlich sinnlos dort, wo's Stimmen gibt fur jede Lage, drum Freunde, zügelt Euren Zorn und wählt nach Gusto alle Tage ein Stück aus Pinschofs Wunderhorn.

It's not just the flute-player Pinschof who'd always find music to pinch off, some plucked and strung other blown or sung just whatever may whistle a finch of. And despite the Series' name "Pinschofon" there is nothing that you could infringe upon. It's yours now, to please with, or purists to tease with, but don't try and use it to pinch a phone.