Thomas Thomas known by his Welsh surname Aptommas (1829-1913) was a Welsh harpist and composer-arranger.
He was born in Bridgend, a younger brother of the more famous John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia). He performed in America with Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Henriette Behrend. Even when playing the pedal harp, Thomas kept the instrument on his left shoulder, as did traditional Welsh harpists. Harp-maker Erard had to construct special harps with the mechanisms reversed for him.
References
- Repercussions, 1857-1862 - Page 563 Vera Brodsky Lawrence - 1999 "... 453-54 Aptommas (né Thomas Thomas) (1829-1913), Welsh harpist/composer arrangement of "Home, Sweet Home," 88 leaves for Europe, 454 offers harp classes, 299 performances at Bristow testimonial concert, 290n concerts, 76, 82, 84, 85, ...
- S. Frederick Starr Louis Moreau Gottschalk - Page 151 2000 "Quickly engaging the Welsh harpist Aptomas (Thomas Thomas, 1829-1913) and the beautiful young New York soprano Henriette Behrend, Gottschalk departed on a New England tour thrown together for him by Helmsmuller."
- Kastner, Alfred. “The Harp.” Proceedings of the Musical Association, vol. 35, 1908, pp. 1–14.