The Austrian multi-percussionist Martin Grubinger is widely considered one of the world’s foremost percussion artists. Celebrated for his breathtaking versatility and electrifying performances, Grubinger has redefined the role of percussion in classical music.
Martin Grubinger
His performances captivate audiences with a rare blend of precision, passion, and innovation. A trailblazer in classical music, Grubinger has received the “Bernstein Award,” and his ability to push artistic boundaries has inspired younger generations.
To celebrate his birthday on 29 May 1981, we’ve decided to feature some of his most iconic recordings and performances.
Daniel Bjarnason: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra
Daniel Bjarnason composed his percussion concerto “Blow Bright” specifically for Martin Grubinger, and it premiered during the 2018/19 season. The piece showcases Grubinger’s multi-percussive mastery by featuring an extensive setup of instruments, including marimbas, vibraphones, drums, cymbals, and other unpitched percussion. The work demands exceptional dexterity, as the soloist must transition rapidly between instruments while maintaining rhythmic precision.
Grubinger’s performances are celebrated for their flawless execution, with reviewers noting his ability to make the complex setup appear effortless. His physicality is described as “athletic and choreographed,” and it adds a visual dimension that enhances the concerto’s theatricality. Specifically written for Grubinger, his role in commissioning and premiering new works has greatly advanced the percussion concerto as a genre.
Drums ‘n’ Chant
Martin Grubinger: Ecce, advenit dominator Dominus (Leonhard Schmidinger, percussion; Benedictine Monks of the Abbey Münsterschwarzach; Martin Grubinger, percussion; Godehard Joppich, cond.)
Anonymous: First Mass for Christmas: Introitus: Dominus dixit ad me (Rainer Furthner, percussion; Benedictine Monks of the Abbey Münsterschwarzach; Martin Grubinger, percussion; Leonhard Schmidinger, percussion; Ismael Barrios, percussion; Heiko Jung, electric bass; Godehard Joppich, cond.)
Martin Grubinger/Gerhard Reiter: First Mass for Christmas: Communio: In splendoribus sanctorum (Hakki Özpinar, vocals; Burcu Karadag, ney; Gerhard Reiter, percussion; Benedictine Monks of the Abbey Münsterschwarzach; Heiko Jung, electric bass)
Released in 2010 by Deutsche Grammophon, “Drums ‘n’ Chant” is a landmark recording in Grubinger’s discography as it showcases his innovative approach to percussion by blending vocal elements with percussion in a genre-defying exploration of rhythm and sound. While the vocal portions are taken from Gregorian chant, the rhythmic perspective incorporates elements from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern traditions.
The album reflects Grubinger’s ambition to transcend traditional percussion roles, creating a narrative-driven recording that explores the primal connection between rhythm and the human voice. The concept draws on the universality of percussion and chant as ancient forms of expression, reimagined through a modern, classical lens. Critics called it a “bold ambition to redefine percussion’s role.”
Drum the Bull
Martin Grubinger’s “Drum the Bull” is a unique and ambitious percussion performance project created in 2020 as a musical opener for the Formula One season, specifically tied to the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. This high-energy, spectacle-driven event fused classical percussion with the visceral sounds of racing engines, showcasing Grubinger’s ability to transcend traditional concert settings.
Grubinger was able to engage global audiences through his innovative and cross-disciplinary artistry in a performance stage on and around the Steel Bull, a massive sculpture at the Red Bull Ring. Grubinger’s score integrated traditional percussion with rich organ harmonies provided by Cameron Carpenter and the ambient sound of F1 engines. Grubinger described the project as a “unique challenge,” and it clearly appealed to a wide audience.
Tan Dun: “The Tears of Nature”
Martin Grubinger’s collaboration with composer Tan Dun, particularly on the percussion concerto The Tears of Nature blended Grubinger’s virtuosic percussion artistry with Tan Dun’s nature-inspired compositional style.
The concerto reflects Tan Dun’s ongoing exploration of environmental themes and Grubinger’s role in championing new percussion works. According to critics, Grubinger “brings emotional nuance to the concerto’s contrasting movements,” balancing the work’s environmental lament with optimism.
Speaking Drums
Martin Grubinger © Simon Pauly
Speaking Drums, a percussion concerto by Peter Eötvös specifically composed for Martin Grubinger, is a groundbreaking work that combines complex percussion with vocal elements. Fascinated by the intersection of rhythm, language, and music, Eötvös composed a work where the soloist has to “speak” through both rhythm and voice.
The concerto draws on the idea of percussion as a form of communication, inspired by talking drums in African traditions that mimic speech patterns. It required the soloist to vocalise, speaking, shouting, and chanting syllables in a dialogue between voice and drums. Critics universally lauded Grubinger’s ability to handle the concerto’s extreme demands with precision, calling him “a technical marvel.”
Martin Grubinger’s artistry redefines percussion as a dynamic, narrative-driven force, seamlessly blending technical virtuosity with theatrical charisma to captivate global audiences. His innovative collaborations and electrifying performances continue to push the boundaries of contemporary music, cementing his legacy as a visionary trailblazer.
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