the musical journey of manuel leuenberger

Manuel Leuenberger was born in Thun, Switzerland, in 1988. He was introduced to the world of marimba playing in his adolescence, after he had been playing the percussion and piano. He finished his Bachelor’s Degree at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste ZHdK with distinction. In 2014, he graduated as a Master of Arts in Performance from the University of Miami, where he studied at the Frost School of Music with Professor Svet Stoyanov. In the summer of 2017, he received his post-graduate „Diploma of Advanced Studies - DAS“ in instrumental pedagogy from the HSLU, Hochschule Luzern, Switzerland.

As a marimba soloist, Manuel plays concerts with orchestras and choirs. He also has two duos; one with saxophone and one with organ. With the latter, he recorded his first CD „Bach in Brazil“ which includes his own transcription of the d-minor harpsichord concerto, BWV 1052, by J.S. Bach, as well as works by Ney Rosauro, being responsible for the CD’s title. His first composition „Anna“ for marimba solo was published by Edition Svitzer in 2012. In the summer of 2018, Simon Scheiwiller composed a concerto for marimba solo and symphony orchestra which was premiered by Manuel Leuenberger and the Orchestra Giovane in Zürich and Bern, Switzerland. In February 2020, he toured with the NZO - Neues Zürcher Orchester - and played his transcription of the before mentioned d-minor Concerto by J.S. Bach in Switzerland and Italy.
His latest composition „Fluss der Zeit“ is available as a live recording on youtube.

Manuel Leuenberger plays mostly under his artist name „Marimba Artist“ in different formations, as well as solo. He is a member of „Marimba Festiva“ as well as the „Musikforum Wetzikon“ and is one of the „Marimba One Discovery Artists“. He received different awards, for example the „Chapeau!Wetzikon“, a cultural price from the city of Wetzikon in 2017.
In early 2020, Manuel helped launching the website www.soloammittag.ch. „Solo am Mittag“ is a concert series in the heart of Zurich, Switzerland, where Manuel Leuenberger is responsible for the organisation of the percussion concert.

I am honored to be supported by others and happy to be able to give back to the community.

Audio

own compositions

recordings of works by other composers

Videos

Live recording of the first collaboration with Daniel Borak, the multiple world champion in Tap Dance. Theater am Gleis, Winterthur, Oktober 2016.

„O Magnum Mysterium“ for Marimba and choir by norwegian composer Marcus Paus - Swiss premiere by Manuel Leuenberger and the vocal ensemble of ZHdK (Zurich High School of the Arts). Conductor: Markus Utz.

Collaborations with other artists

To make music together always includes personal and artistic development. The duos I am part of help me become a better musician and artist with each and every concert we share. I am proud to present the following collaborations:

Marimba + Sax

I have played several concerts with Florian Haupt, the highly musical and innovative saxophonist who can handle any size of saxophone with style. We not only perform a stunning program, but also guide you through the concert with a charming announcement of every work we play.

Marimba + Pipe Organ

With Yoshiko Masaki, organist in the Reformed Church Uetikon am See, I experience new timbres at every concert. Due to the rarity of such unconventional duos, we have not yet played a single original composition for our instruments. In our previous programs and on the CD “Bach in Brazil” that we recorded together, we have arranged works for our instruments. The sound result is indeed a wonderful treat for the ears. The CD can be purchased from us or via iTunes.