As a Composer
Knack for minimal rhythmic elements.
During his more than 40 years as a founder and director of the Collegium Musicum Bocholt (an amateur orchestra) and the I. van Meckenem Consort (an ensemble based on Renaissance wind instruments), he wrote several compositions and commissions for viola solo, violoncello solo, and double bass solo as well as for string trio and recorder ensemble.
Stylistically, the work of Karl Thöne, with its rhythmic and percussive elements is most closely related to the music of Paul Hindemith. He often took his motivic material from Renaissance music, which he studied intensively. In addition to his compositions, he created some wood and linocuts with motives from the world of music.
Professional Work
1953
Teacher (German, Music)
Secondary School for Boys and Girls, Bocholt
1956
Founder, director
Collegium musicum Bocholt
1957
Teacher (Brass, choir)
Albert Schweitzer Secondary School, Bocholt
1957
Teacher (Music)
I. v. Meckenem Secondary School, Bocholt
1961
Conductor
St. Gudula Church Choir, Rhede
1982
Composer
Retiree & focused on composing
As a Pedagogue
The resourceful teacher.
After graduating in 1953 he started teaching German and Music at the Secondary School for Boys and Girls in Bocholt.
Karl Thöne and his wife, Ingeborg, then moved to Bocholt in 1957 where he was appointed as a teacher at the Albert Schweitzer Secondary School and later at the Israel van Meckenem Secondary School Bocholt and used his talent while teaching various school ensembles such as brass bands and choir for school performances.
He retired in 1982.