Australian conductor and composer Tommy Tycho has died aged 84.

Tycho, known as "The Maestro", was born in Budapest in 1928 and died in Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital this morning.

Tycho had a stroke four years ago and died from complications of pneumonia.

He recorded the version of Advance Australia Fair that is played at all major events and football games.

Tycho worked with performers including Olivia Newtown-John, Julie Anthony, Hugh Jackman, jazz legend Dave Brubeck, Shirley Bassey and Peter Allen.

He started his working life as a storeman at David Jones before he began playing piano on the ABC, where he became the musical director in the late fifties.

He then become the musical director for Channel Seven in the seventies.

Tycho's personal manager of 35 years, Richard Laing, says he was exceptionally talented and always a gentleman.

"Absolutely extraordinary life and a genius when it comes to being a musician and a composer and arranger," he said.

"He was a very demure man who basically wore his genius very lightly."

Tycho leaves behind a wife, a daughter, son-in-law and step-daughter.