Arnold Riedhammer

Background

Arnold F. Riedhammer, percussionist and composer much sought after in the fields of classical music as well as rock, popular and jazz, was born in Somerville, New Jersey, United States of America, of German-American parents.

Education

From 1966 to 1970, he studied at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich, passing his final examination with honours in 1970.

Career

He is Principal Percussionist of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the group Blechschaden. After working as a solo timpanist in Nuremberg and Bonn, Riedhammer has been the solo percussionist with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra since 1974. He is also a teacher of percussion at the University of Music in Munich.

Numerous students of his class have received positions in top orchestras throughout Europe and Asia.

1980: soloist examination at the National Academy of Music Trossingen (instrument: solo percussion). 1981: National Sponsorship Award for percussion – the first time ever a percussionist received this award.

Numerous television, radio and record productions featuring percussion concerts, for example, with Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Riedhammer wrote several title songs and music for commercials commissioned by the Bavaria Broadcasting Company

He also wrote several percussion pieces for ZIMMERMANN/Frankfurt and STUDIO 4 MUSIC/Los Angeles, Mostly Marimba and Kendor Music, Incorporated.

United States of America As a classical percussionist he has performed, for example, with Leonard Bernstein, Sergiu Celebidache, Herbert von Karajan, Seiji Ozawa, Sir George Solti, Zubin Mehta, James Levine, Lorin Maazel, Christian Thielemann et cetera In the field of popular and rock music, he has recorded and toured with: The Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury and Queen, Liza Minnelli, Liberace, Chris de Burgh, Donna Summer, Randy Crawford, Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein, Lawrence Rosenthal et cetera Additionally, Arnold gives clinics, courses and workshops and plays solo percussion concerts both in Germany and abroad.

Riedhammer’s Solo-Civil Defense PERCUSSION GOES POP KOCH CLASSICS 3-6413-6412 Arnold is an endorser of DW drums, ZILDJIAN cymbals and gongs, REMO heads, his own PROMARK Signature Stick, ROLAND V-drums, MEINL Percussion, Pure Sound Snare strainer.

Works „The Challenge“ for Solo Snare Drum, publisher Zimmermann Frankfurt „Drums for Fun“, publisher Zimmermann Frankfurt „Rudimental Rumble“,publisher MostlyMarimba United States of America “Groovin’ Timps”, publisher MostlyMarimba United States of America “Duel” (Percussion duel), publisher Kendor Music, Incorporated.

Achievements

• He is the drummer of one of the most successful groups in Europe called “Blechschaden”, They have won the German Grammy Award “Echo Prize” twice and play 60 concerts throughout Europe every year.