Ludwig Albert
Biography
Dr. Ludwig Albert, internationally acclaimed and awarded as a virtuoso artist, pioneer and composer, belongs as Belgian leading marimbist throughout the world with the absolute top flight. Perceived by press for his unique ‘legendary’ sound and with his own marimba competition, worldwide masterclasses and his self developed eight-mallet grip, he’s unmistakably an ‘icon’ in the international marimba world. He’s profiled as one of the most successful pedagogues of his generation and has influenced many young players in his particular way. After obtaining a First Prize percussion, the superior Diploma percussion and his Master’s degree specialisation marimba, he shaped his talent as first Belgian marimbist with Keiko Abe in Tokyo-Japan and in 1996 began performing with her in a number concert productions. In 2011 Albert, a Yamaha artist up to that point, began an important relationship with the Dutch ‘Adams Percussion company’ in the design, construction and release of the ‘Ludwig Albert signature concert marimba’. In addition, the American company ‘Innovative Percussion’ began production of the ‘Ludwig Albert signature mallet line’ in 2004. He is the first European marimba virtuoso to receive both honor.
Starting 1995, he searched for new sound-combinations and founded with the Belgian mezzo soprano Katrine Druyts his duo ‘Patrasche’ with the combination of marimba and voice. As true pioneers of this unique combination, they developed a style of their own and could inspire over 25 years several artists and composers to create new music for this strength. They mainly performed Albert’s own compositions, creations, arrangements and improvisations, all based on traditional folksongs. Their musical combination evokes a fascinating world. They received abroad outstanding critics for their first label album “Japanese Impressions”, which was awarded as ‘best classic album of the year’, and were regular guests at live radio-broadcastings & festivals. After their. second album with “Impressions of the low-countries”, they released the album “Ardor“ with selected Hispanic songs from Spain &Mexico. A “best of” album will be released in 2025 to celebrate their inspiring collaboration. Albert cooperated successfully from 1996 with several labels as Talent Records (BE), Digi Classics (BE), Marimba-Projects (BE), Centaur Records (US) and Splendid Arts Edition (BE). Showered with several tittles, awards and positive reception by the press, he released 15 albums with mainly own compositions, improvisations, dedicated works and with pioneering musical combinations in a variety of musical styles, all featuring in essence his unique sonority and his portfolio as versatile virtuoso.
In 2004, Albert received International recognition when he appeared on the cover of the American Percussive Arts Magazine, including also an article “The Ultimate Sound” with his view on the marimba’s development, reflected through his praised approach in tone production. He’s titular Professor of marimba at the Royal Antwerp Conservatoire (AP University College of Arts) and the Lemmens Institute (LUCA University College of Arts). Both universities have assisted in the European creation of a Marimba Master’s program and have become known since 2004 as Europe’s most successful marimba departments. Helping to drive this program is his acclaimed innovative Method of Movement “Movin’grips”. For his unique new approach for developing musicality and producing a revolutionary new sonority through body controlled marimba sound production, he received in 2016 as first marimbist the title of ‘doctor of Arts’ at the Antwerp University. The effectiveness of his method reflected in over 85 winning International Competition Prizes by alumni of his marimba departments. Albert is visiting guest Professor at the UNICACH University of arts in Chiapas -Mexico, the HAMU Music Academy Prague – Czech Republic and the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music Bangkok – Thailand. He welcomed over 600 students and a teaching staff of renowned professors at his yearly international Marimba Summer Academy that took place from 2006 in Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
In 1996, he founded the organization ‘marimba-Projects vzw’ to develop the marimba by organizing marimba-events and pedagogical projects and by promoting the marimba Arts. He founded in 2000 the biennial ‘Universal Marimba Competition & Festival Belgium’, known today as the World leading Competition for marimba. The impact of this Competition in further international qualitative development of the marimba was awarded since 2011 with the High Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Paola of Belgium, a Royal honour for the first time presented to a marimba competition. In addition, he’s also artistic director of the International Percussion Youth Competition Belgium and the Universal marimba Composing Competition. In 2010, he raised the idea to found an international Percussion Competition in Jeju -S-Korea and appears since as advisory Committee member and charger of the Jeju International percussion Competition. He serves as president and founder of the Percussive Arts Society US – chapter Belgium and appears abroad as jury member at international Competitions in Russia, Spain, Mexico, France, Belgium, Italy, S-Korea, Germany, China, Croatia, Lithuania, Poland, Australia, Austria, Portugal & Finland a.o.
He is the first European marimbist to incorporate the visual with the auditory in concert. His cooperation with the Belgian awarded scenographer Anita Evenepoel resulted in special designed décors such as a giant mobile which moved over the stage reacting to the musical impulses, thus constantly shaping new figures. This visual concept was at that time a trendsetting vision in the marimba world. He knew to astonish his audience with special musical acts and his performance with multiple 6 & 8 mallets. He premièred since 1996 the play with 8 mallets, known as the “Ludwig Albert 8 mallet grip”. Albert has performed over nearly 35 years concerts as a soloist and in collaboration with significant guest artists, ensembles and orchestras, touring in more than 35 countries. He has been invited repeatedly to renowned music festivals and conducted masterclasses at numerous prestigious universities. He developed in several countries such as Russia and Mexico a true marimba culture and achieved acknowledge as a celebrated star & pioneer. For his celebrations of 10 & 15 years career, he released a double album, appeared in a Belgian mass production with more than 15.000 spectators and performed a sold out Belgian and Russian concert tour. His successful tours in Russia got an item on the Russian National news broadcast. In 2015, he celebrated 25 years career with the release of 4 new albums and an international tour with as highlight the world-première performance and National Live TV broadcasts of his double concerto “The Universe” for marimba and Orchestra at the renown Beijing and Seoul National Centres of performing Arts and the Radio Hall in Bucharest. Extra performances with special versions for wind orchestra, string orchestra, Chinese Orchestra, percussion ensemble and marimba quartet took place in Belgium, Russia, Lithuania, China, S-Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Portugal, Japan, Poland and Austria.
A cooperative composing project with the young Portuguese composer Rodrigo Marques resulted in the completion of a new Concerto ‘Permafrost” for marimba solo & Symphony orchestra. This concerto is world premiered at the International percussion competition Jeju Korea 2021 and will be featured again in 2024 as set piece of several Competitions. His total repertory of compositions and arrangements for marimba solo, chamber-music and orchestra is published worldwide by European leading publishers such as edition Svitzer (DK), Dhalmann editions (FR) and Splendid Arts Edition (BE). Composers like Keiko Abe (JP), Matthias Schmitt (DE), Jan Van Landeghem (BE), Piet Swerts (BE), François Glorieux (BE), Eckhard Kopetzky (DE), Igor Lesnik (HR), Rodrigo Marques (PT), Tomasz Golinski (PL), Chin-Cheng Lin (TW) and Guillo Espel (AR) have written dedicated pieces and concerto’s for him. He received the ‘Award of honor’ (BE, 2004) and for his successful concerto “the Universe” the ‘Best Classic Music Award’ (US, 2020). In 2021, his best-selling composition “Feel the Sunlight” for marimba solo was awarded the ‘Best Classic Music Award 2021’ and hit internationally the 1 st position on the classical charts in Western Europe, South & North Africa, Asia and Eastern & Midwestern United States. In addition, he received the ‘Best musician of the year Award 2021’ and the ‘Outstanding Legacy Award 2022’ for his exceptional talent and perseverance in the music field.
From 2023, he will start up the celebration of 35 years career with as highlights the release of his newest designed signature Ludwig Albert Adams marimba, a jubilee concert- and masterclass tour and the release of several new albums including the “Platinum Collection album”. As apotheose, he will perform in 2025 closing jubilee gala concerts with several distinguished special guests from abroad. Well-known and awarded as one of the rare outstanding lyrical performers, he has been given standing ovations and has been reviewed and praised by Major international press and music critics as:
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 play will keep touching our hearts forever; His sound penetrates into the heart so naturally / Mr. Ludwig’s lyrical marimba approach is very unique.
Abe, Keiko
Tokyo, Japan, 1996, 2006
Belgian artist at the top in the marimba world; tremendous popular marimbist performs with 8 mallets impressing, the overall excellence and superb musicianship of L.A.; Es uno de los exponentes lideres en toda Europa; LA begeisterte mit virtuositàt und theatralischer expressivitàt, extraordinario musico; This is music of the highest quality.
Knack weekend magazine
BE, 1997
He succeeds in giving the
listener a view of the marimba’s prowess as a lyrical instrument and diminishing its reputation as only a novelty instrument.
Rogers, Lisa
Indianapolis, USA, 2001
I’m very impressed with the overall excellence and superb musicianship of Ludwig Albert.
Lambert, Jim
Percussive Notes, Indianapolis, USA, 2003
The many contrasting techniques and colors will intrigue audiences.
Frock, George
Percussive Notes, Indianapolis, USA, 2004
Ludwig Albert is nothing short of miraculous. His performance takes the listener into a new world of Sound and Magic.
Kurzbauer
The Strad magazine, London, UK, 2014
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