Rodrigo F. Marques (PT)
Rodrigo Fernandes Marques (b.1992) received from 2017 International recognition as multiple Prize winner and 1st Prize Laureate of the prestigious Universal Marimba Competition in both disciplines, marimba performance and composition. He profiles himself as a leading marimbist and composer of the new generation, owning the rare combination as performer, composer and improviser. At the age of 25 only, several of his pieces such as “Magic Sphere” for marimba duo, “Ululardel del Tigre” for marimba solo and the “Permafrost Concerto” were from 2019 world premiered as set piece at leading competitions such as the Universal Marimba Competition Belgium and the International Percussion Competition Jeju / S-Korea. His latest work ”Garden of Irises for Marimba duo” received the originality Prize 2019. As a highlight, the concerto “Permafrost” was world premiered with the Jeju Philharmonic Orchestra in S-Korea 2022. At present, his latest published works are highly praised abroad; showing a new voice in the marimba repertoire. He’s receiving several commissioning compositions from leading percussionists abroad. He received in 2022 the honor to join as Adams artist the Dutch percussion company Adams. In addition he’s selected as faculty member Professor marimba of the acclaimed Marimba Master department at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp Belgium, known as Europe’s first created Marimba Master department and largest Art faculty.
He performed with Ludwig Albert and the Opole Philharmonic Orchestra at the renown Drumfest Poland 2017. Further performances took place at the International Adams Festival Netherlands 2017, The Oh percussion Academy in Korea and at the International Percussion Festival in Portimao & Amarante (Portugal), the International Percussion Festival in Bangkok (Thailand) and the International ICon Arts Percussion Festival Romania. He continued touring and performed a masterclass tour at Australian leading Universities. He’s related as executive director and guest professor of the annual Ludwig Albert International Marimba Academy and as artistic staff member and composer in residence of the World leading Universal Marimba. Starting 2022, He's composing for several new concert- and CD productions and is invited to perform double concerto’s in Italy, Portugal, Thailand, Japan, China etc. He was invited as jury member of several distinguished competitions such as Drumfest Competition Poland 2017, the International Percussion Competition Bangkok 2019, the Australian Percussion Eisteddfod Competition Sydney Australia 2019, the Universal Marimba Competition Belgium 2021, the International Percussion Youth Competition Belgium 2021 and the International Marimba Competition Australia 2022. His method in improvisation and upcoming compositions are published by Splendid Arts edition Belgium. His first album with a selection of his solo- and duo works and with the cooperation of several distinguished guest artists will be released during 2025. A second album will follow featuring improvisations in his unique style. Rodrigo Marques is a member of Sabam Composers Society Belgium.
R. M. began his musical studies in 2010 at the Conservatory of Music of Coimbra Portugal and at the University of Aveiro in Portugal. He obtained his Bachelor degree with greatest distinction and his Master’s Summa cum Laude at the LUCA University College of Arts Belgium in the class of marimba virtuoso dr. Ludwig Albert. He was Professor at the Portuguese music academies of the Arganil Philharmonic Association, the Music Band of Freixo and the New Band of Fermentelos. He won the 2nd place marimba solo in the 8th and 10th international Tomarimbando marimba contest in Portugal, the 1st place in the Competition of the Conservatory of Coimbra which presented him as soloist marimba with the Orquestra Clássica do Centro. In 2017, he won the first Prize composition at the prestigious Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium with his work "Ulular del Tigre", as well as his marimba duo work ‘Magic Sphere”. He received the 1st Prize at the International Marimba Competition in Italy 2019 and at The prestigious Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium 2021.
He performed with Ludwig Albert and the Opole Philharmonic Orchestra at the renown Drumfest Poland 2017. Further performances took place at the International Adams Festival Netherlands 2017, The Oh percussion Academy in Korea and at the International Percussion Festival in Portimao & Amarante (Portugal), the International Percussion Festival in Bangkok (Thailand) and the International ICon Arts Percussion Festival Romania. He continued touring and performed a masterclass tour at Australian leading Universities. He’s related as executive director and guest professor of the annual Ludwig Albert International Marimba Academy and as artistic staff member and composer in residence of the World leading Universal Marimba. Starting 2022, He's composing for several new concert- and CD productions and is invited to perform double concerto’s in Italy, Portugal, Thailand, Japan, China etc. He was invited as jury member of several distinguished competitions such as Drumfest Competition Poland 2017, the International Percussion Competition Bangkok 2019, the Australian Percussion Eisteddfod Competition Sydney Australia 2019, the Universal Marimba Competition Belgium 2021, the International Percussion Youth Competition Belgium 2021 and the International Marimba Competition Australia 2022. His method in improvisation and upcoming compositions are published by Splendid Arts edition Belgium. His first album with a selection of his solo- and duo works and with the cooperation of several distinguished guest artists will be released during 2025. A second album will follow featuring improvisations in his unique style. Rodrigo Marques is a member of Sabam Composers Society Belgium.
R. M. began his musical studies in 2010 at the Conservatory of Music of Coimbra Portugal and at the University of Aveiro in Portugal. He obtained his Bachelor degree with greatest distinction and his Master’s Summa cum Laude at the LUCA University College of Arts Belgium in the class of marimba virtuoso dr. Ludwig Albert. He was Professor at the Portuguese music academies of the Arganil Philharmonic Association, the Music Band of Freixo and the New Band of Fermentelos. He won the 2nd place marimba solo in the 8th and 10th international Tomarimbando marimba contest in Portugal, the 1st place in the Competition of the Conservatory of Coimbra which presented him as soloist marimba with the Orquestra Clássica do Centro. In 2017, he won the first Prize composition at the prestigious Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium with his work "Ulular del Tigre", as well as his marimba duo work ‘Magic Sphere”. He received the 1st Prize at the International Marimba Competition in Italy 2019 and at The prestigious Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium 2021.
