the musical journey of manuel leuenberger

Manuel Leuenberger is artistically active as a "Marimba Artist" both as a soloist and in various formations. This includes collaborations with clarinet in the duo "Acoustic Voyagers," with marimba in the formation "Octostix," as well as in the interdisciplinary duo "Wooden Impact" with multiple world champion in tap dance Daniel Borak. His own transcription of J.S. Bach's D minor Concerto, BWV 1052, can be heard on the CD "Bach in Brazil" in an arrangement for marimba and organ, another duo of his.

In 2020, Manuel Leuenberger performed as a soloist with the NZO | Neues Zürcher Orchester, under the direction of Martin Studer, at the Berlin Philharmonie. In 2022, a collaboration with the Stadtmusik Zürich and Niki Wüthrich led him to the main hall of the newly renovated Tonhalle Zürich, where he performed Satoshi Yagisawa's Marimba Solo Concerto. In the summer of 2022, the premiere of "Rhapsody in Blue" took place in a newly arranged version for solo marimba and symphonic wind orchestra by Mathias Rüegg. Since the beginning of 2024, Manuel Leuenberger has been completely active as a freelance artist and can be found on many concert stages at home and abroad. This year, Manuel Leuenberger will premiere Emmanuel Séjourné's newly composed Marimba Solo Concerto at the Goetheanum in Dornach on the occasion of the sixtieth birthday of the Orchester Dornachs. In addition, the artist's first solo CD and many new music videos will be released on the online platform "Patreon," where the musician can be subscribed to and supported. Manuel Leuenberger is a "Marimba One Discovery Artist," recipient of the Chapeau! cultural award from the city of Wetzikon, and supported by over thirty subscribers on patreon.com.

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.