Prof. Siegfried SCHMID, percussionist
Born in 1937, Siegfried Schmid studied at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Munich with Ludwig Porth. From his graduation from the conservatory in 1962 until 1997, Schmid was solo timpanist and percussionist with the Basel Symphony Orchestra. In 1967 he founded the Basel Percussion Ensemble which maintained a very active performance schedule. He was also a member of the European Ensemble, founded by Bruno Maderna. In addition to his traditional percussion performance he is regularly engages as a performer of the Hungarian Cimbalom. He has played internationally with many orchestras including the BBC in London, the National Orchestra of France, the Ensemble Intercontemporain, as well as with numerous chamber music ensembles. In 1998, he received an invitation to form part of the World Orchestra for Peace. Prof. Schmid has performed under the batons of such notable conductors as Pierre Boulez, Charles Dutoit, Heinz Holliger, Lorin Maazel, Paul Sacher, Antal Dorati, Walter Weller, Armin Jordan, etc. Since 1971, Siegfried Schmid has taught percussion at the Musikhochschule of the Basel Music Academy.