Dr. Ludwig Albert (BE)
www.ludwigalbert.comAfter obtaining the Superior Diploma in percussion and his Master’s Degree specialization in the marimba, he shaped his talent as the first Belgian marimbist to study with Keiko Abe in Tokyo and in 1996 began performing with her in a number of concert productions.Ludwig Albert founded ‘Patrasche’ in 1995 as he was searching for new sound-combinations for the marimba and his compositions. As pioneers of the marimba-voice duo, they developed a unique style and have inspired artists and composers to create new music in this genre for more than 20 years. They mainly perform Albert’s own compositions, creations and improvisations, all based on traditional folksongs and evoking a fascinating world. Their first album “Japanese Impressions” received outstanding reviews internationally and they were regular guests of radio broadcasts and festivals. After their second album, “Impressions of the Low-Countries,” they released their newest album “Ardor“ with selected songs from Spain & Mexico.
In 2011 Albert, a Yamaha artist up to that point, began an important relationship with the Adams Percussion company in the design, construction and release of his own new signature Adams marimba model. He is the first European marimba virtuoso to receive this honor. In addition, the American company Innovative Percussion began production of his signature mallet line in 2007.
He is titular professor of marimba at the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Antwerp (AP University), known as Europe’s largest art faculty, and the Lemmens Institute (LUCA University) known as one of Europe’s oldest universities. Both universities have assisted him for the past 15 years in the European creation of a new Marimba Master’s program and degree and have become known as Europe’s most successful marimba departments. Helping to drive this program is his innovative Albert Method of Movement: “The Ultimate Sound,” a unique new approach for developing musicality and producing a revolutionary new sonority. Numerous alumni, all trained in this method, from all continents have won more than sixty-five top prizes at international competitions, positions abroad at universities and orchestras and established careers as soloists and recording label artists.
Well-known as one of the rare outstanding lyrical performers, he’s honored with several awards such as the percussion award of honor 2001, and is praised by international press-reviews with critics writing: “refined variegated compositions, excellent sensitive virtuoso performance, extra ordinary clarity, El Belga L.Albert- un gran maestro del Mundo, hearing Mr Albert’s performance: you will never lose the sound of the marimba, un musicien sans vanité, his sound penetrates into the heart so naturally, his playing will keep touching our hearts forever, Belgian artist at the top in the marimba-world, tremendous popular marimbist performs with 8 mallets, excellent marimbist of the new generation, this is music of the purest water, L.A. succeeds in giving the listener a view of the marimba’s prowess as a lyrical instrument and diminishing its reputation being only a novelty instrument, one of world’s best rising marimba-player, impressing- the overall excellence and superb musicianship of L.A.,-Es uno de los exponentes lideres en toda Europa, Albert is a rising star among marimba-performers worldwide, Albert’s Yamaha marimba sounds very warm and even throughout its register, Albert evokes through his marimba the sound of nature, LA begeisterte mit virtuositàt und theatralischer expressivitàt, extraordinario musico, Siberia melts for L. Albert, His compositions are expressive and flashy, a demonstration of technical and expressive skills, contrasting techniques and colours intrigues the audiences, Magico concierto, marimbista del mundo, Extraordinario musico the Pantani of the marimba, Ludwig Albert is nothing short of miraculous, His performance takes the listener into a new world of Sound and Magic”.
