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Arnold F. Riedhammer, percussionist and composer much sought after in the fields of classical music as well as rock, pop and jazz, was born in Somerville, New Jersey, USA, of German-American parents. From 1966 to 1970, he studied at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich, passing his final examination with honours in 1970. 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 Professor of percussion at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany. Numerous students of his class have received positions in top orchestras throughout Europe and Asia.
1980: Masters Degree 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 TV, 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 Bavarian Broadcasting Co. He also wrote several percussion pieces for ZIMMERMANN/Frankfurt and STUDIO 4 MUSIC/Los Angeles, MostlyMarimba USA, Kendor Music, Inc. USA etc.
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, Kent Nagano and Michael Tilson Thomas etc.
In the field of pop and rock music, he has recorded and toured with: The Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury and Queen, Liza Minelli, Liberace, Chris de Burgh, Donna Summer, Randy Crawford, Henri Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith, Elmar Bernstein, Lawrence Rosenthal etc.
Additionally, Arnold gives clinics, courses and workshops and plays solo percussion concerts both in Germany and abroad.
He is the drummer of one of the most successful groups in Europe called œBlechschaden “ They have won the German Grammy Award œEcho Preis twice and played 80 concerts throughout Europe every year.
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, GEWA drum cases.
Works:
œThe Challengeœ for Solo Snare Drum, publisher Zimmermann Frankfurt œDrums for Funœ, publisher Zimmermann Frankfurt œRudimental Rumbleœ, publisher MostlyMarimba USA œGroovin Timps, publisher MostlyMarimba USA œDuel (Percussion duel), publisher Kendor Music, Inc. USA œGood Vibe-Brations Solo for Vibraphon, publisher Kendor Music, Inc. USA œRudimental Rumble Duet, publisher AFR Music “ Munich “ Germany žRudimental Groove, publisher AFR Music “ Munich “ Germany œLondon Timps, publisher AFR Music “ Munich “ Germany
œThe Challenge for Solo Snare Drum is on the playing list of The 68th ARD International Music Competition in Munich, Germany.
