Christian Benning Percussion

How did I get in touch with music
I actually come from an ‘unmusical’ family, no one in my family plays an instrument but anyway  my grandparents and parents have always been great music lovers who like to visit concerts of all kinds very often. At the age of two I have been taken to concerts and even musicals, of course I can only remember a fragment of it, but I still know very well that it also triggered my fascination with music. This was reinforced by my Hungarian roots on my grandfather's side as my family and I regularly spent the holidays in Hungary and I felt trapped and attracted by the traditional ‘gypsy music’ (violin, double bass, cymbal, ...) every time. This also led to my parents sending me to early musical education at the age of three, where I quickly realized that the obligatory recorder wasn’t for me at all and I became much more concerned with the drums in the room (bongos, congas, ...). When I finally refused the flute after the second hour the friendly music teacher referred me to my first drum teacher, where the journey and life as a percussionist started.

Why did I choose a career in music
In the imagination of my personal future there was nothing better for me as a child or as a teenager than later turning my hobby and my passion into profession. Nothing has changed in this thought until today. Even if it’s becoming increasingly clear that music has long ceased to be a hobby it remains the most important and extensive part of my life.

What distinguishes me as a musician
I consider myself in my personality – on and off stage - as a very communicative, integrative person, who of course I always try to be on stage. In general, I consider the stage situation to be a very intimate situation, in which based on my emotions I tell my audience something about myself and consciously try to get it out of everyday life. I always want to share my enjoyment of music and - both alone and in collaboration with other musicians - on stage and I have always experienced and perceived music as the only real global language, especially in my numerous international projects that everybody can understand if she/he is listening properly. Music connects because it brings together so many social variety  and unites - and it is precisely in this process that I find myself in my personality, driven by a felt inner calling to build bridges and move people through my music.

What do I do if I don't play concerts?
I like to enjoy the time outside my studio and away from the rehearsal room and stage together with my friends and family, and I enjoy doing sports. I primarily like to play tennis and soccer but go-karting, golf and swimming are also my favorite leisure activities; I also follow top sports such as soccer (preferably live, occasionally FC Bayern in the arena). I train in a gym regularly and run official half marathons several times a year, although my personal goal is a complete marathon at some point - but I still see myself as far from that at present.

Due to my interdisciplinary work in professional basketball since 2017 I am of course particularly drawn to this sport which fascinates me more and more - of course because I put it so strongly in context with music. In the near future I will write a dissertation on the individual and collective concepts I have developed and the innovative notation option - so-called ‘playbooks’. I have the clear goal in mind to constructively establish my rhythm-based methods in professional sports as an effective training tool.

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As a “phenomenon“ (Süddeutsche Zeitung), as a “rhythmic genius“ (ZEIT) and as “replete with elegant perfection“ (Münchner Merkur), the performances of Christian Benning had been commended in many ways. The career of the versatile multi percussionist is in its early stages though.

Following successful performances as member of Simone Rubino's Esegesi Percussion Quartet at renowned festivals Christian Benning has been invited to Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie München, Allerheiligen-Hofkirche München, Glocke Bremen, Bonn Beethoven-Haus, Graz Musikverein, Neues Schloss Stuttgart, Zentrum für Kunst und Medien Karlsruhe, Festival Les Musicales d ́Orient in France, Goodwin Hall Baltimore, The Abbey San Diego, Opera Port Louis-Mauritius among others. Upcoming highlights include tours to Italy, Spain and China.

Christian Benning already founded his own drum ensemble Christian Benning Percussion Group in 2014 which immediately impressed at the first appearances in Munich, Augsburg and Dachau, whereby ‘the precision of the band was only topped by the joy of playing’ (Augsburger Allgemeine).

In addition Benning has an extensive orchestral experience which he gained at Audi Sommerkonzerte Ingolstadt with Kent Nagano, Munich Philharmonic, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Heilbronn Chamber Orchestra, Franz-Schmidt Chamber Orchestra Vienna, Bayerische Philharmonie and Munich Percussion Ensemble among others.

Christian Benning is also an active composer and producer. Since 2019 he is official artist of Meinl Cymbals, Meinl Percussion, Meinl Stick&Brush, Studio49 Royal Percussion, AlternateMode and SchlagZu. For his performances he is additionally appareled by Etnia and van Laack.

Benning was chosen as a junior student at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich with Adel Shalaby at the age of 13 and has won several competitions such as the Marimba-Festiva Competition Nuremberg in 2010. He subsequently completed his studies in the classes of Peter Sadlo and Arnold Riedhammer from 2014 to 2019 with special distinction. In addition, Christian Benning took part in workshops and masterclasses by Martin Grubinger, Evelyn Glennie, Lang Lang and Sir Andras Schiff.

As part of his scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation and the Orlandus-Lassus Foundation Christian Benning completed lately a semester in USA at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore/MD) and at the Yale School of Music (NewHaven/CT) with Robert van Sice.

Season 2022/23

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News

Christian Benning in Istanbul

Am 7. Januar 2023 ist Christian Benning special guest beim Perkussion Ensemble Sa.Ne.Na in Istanbul, Borusan Music House. Zu hören sind Werke von Iannis Xenakis, Casey Cangelosi, Amy Salsgiver, Paul Lansky u.a.

Christian Benning in Istanbul

Christian Benning is special guest with Percussion Ensemble Sa.Ne.Na in Istanbul, Borusan Music House on 7 January 2023 featuring a programme by Iannis Xenakis, Casey Cangelosi, Amy Salsgiver, Paul Lansky etc.

Christian Benning Percussion Group in München

Am 18. September 2022, 20:00 Uhr ist die Christian Benning Percussion Group im Prinzregententheater München mit einem Iannis Xenakis Portrait anlässlich dessen

100. Geburtstag zu erleben. Die sechs Multiperkussionisten präsentieren dabei die Werke Rebonds, Pleiades und Okho sowie Beethoven: Mondscheinsonate und Kompositionen von Ravel, Messiaen und J.S. Bach.

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Christian Benning Percussion Group in Munich

On 18 September 2022, 20:00 the Christian Benning Percussion Group performs a Iannis Xenakis portrait on the occasion of his 100th birthday in

Munich, Prinzregententheater. The six multi percussionists present the compositions Rebonds, Pleiades and Okho as well as Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata and music by Ravel, Messiaen and J.S. Bach.

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Christian Benning Percussion Group eröffnet Kulturpromenade Monheim/Rhein

Die Christian Benning Percussion Group eröffnet am 2. September 2022 die Kulturpromenade der zukünftigen Kulturraffinerie in Monheim/Rhein in einem Open Air Konzert.

Christian Benning Percussion Group on tour in August 2022

The Christian Benning Percussion Group is on festival tour with music by J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Ravel, Reich, Xenakis, Corea etc:

05.08. Höri Musiktage: Öhningen, 09./11./12.08. Festival

Junger Künstler Bayreuth: Bayreuth & Speinshart, 10.08. Landshuter Serenadenkonzerte: Landshut, 14.08. (solo), 15.08. White Night: Seefeld, Austria

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Christian Benning Percussion Group auf Tour im August 2022

Die Christian Benning Percussion Group ist auf Festivaltour mit Werken von J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Ravel, Reich, Xenakis, Corea zu erleben:

05.08. Höri Musiktage: Öhningen, 09./11./12.08. Festival

Junger Künstler Bayreuth: Bayreuth & Speinshart, 10.08. Landshuter Serenadenkonzerte: Landshut, 14.08. (solo), 15.08. White Night: Seefeld, Österreich

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Christian Benning Percussion Group in Coesfeld

On 3 October the Christian Benning Percussion Group guests at Konzerthaus Coesfeld in quintet formation. The programme includes arrangements by J.S. Bach, Beethoven and compositions by Chick Corea, Iannis Xenakis, Mark Glentworth etc.

Christian Benning: Solo performance in Dachau

The multipercussionist Christian Benning presents a solo performance in Dachau, Ludwig-Thoma-Haus on 18 and 30 May with music by Iannis Xenakis, Isaac Albeniz,

Mark Glentworth, Casey Cangelosi, Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic, Wolfgang Reifeneder as well as own compositions and arrangements.

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Christian Benning: Soloperformance in Dachau

Der Multiperkussionist Christian Benning ist am 18. und 30. Mai in Dachau, Ludwig-Thoma-Haus mit einer Soloperformance zu erleben. Auf dem Programm stehen

u.a. Werke von Iannis Xenakis, Isaac Albeniz, Mark Glentworth, Casey Cangelosi, Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic, Wolfgang Reifeneder und eigene Kompositionen/Arrangements.

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Christian Benning Percussion Group: Video

Sehen Sie hier ein Video der Christian Benning Percussion Group aus dem Herkulessaal München mit Werken von J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Thierry de Mey etc. <link https: www.youtube.com>

www.youtube.com/watch

 

 

Christian Benning Percussion Group: video

Here a video of Christian Benning Percussion Group from Herkulessaal Munich with music by J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Thierry de Mey etc. <link https: www.youtube.com _blank>

www.youtube.com/watch

Christian Benning Percussion Group at Elbphilharmonie

Enjoy Christian Benning and his Percussion Group at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg with highlights of their concert in January 2020: <link https: www.youtube.com _blank>

www.youtube.com/watch

Christian Benning Percussion Group in Elbphilharmonie

Erleben Sie Christian Benning und seine Percussion Group in der Elbphilharmonie mit Highlights ihres Konzerts vom Januar 2020:


<link https: www.youtube.com>

www.youtube.com/watch

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Christian Benning: Livestream concert on 29 March

Christian Benning presented a livestream concert from his studio on 29 March.
Here the links:


<link https: www.instagram.com christianbenningpercussion _blank>

www.youtube.com/watch


www.instagram.com/christianbenningpercussion/

<link https: www.instagram.com christianbenningpercussion _blank>

www.facebook.com/christian.benning.3

Enjoy watching!

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Christian Benning: Livestream Konzert vom 29. März

Christian Benning gab am 29. März ein Livestream Konzert aus seinem Studio. Hier die Links:

<link https: www.instagram.com christianbenningpercussion>

www.youtube.com/watch


www.instagram.com/christianbenningpercussion/


www.facebook.com/christian.benning.3

Wir wünschen Ihnen viel Vergnügen beim Nachhören!

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Press

Programmes

Solo programme 1 (70')Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001): Rebonds B for multipercussion
Eric Sammut (*1968): Four Rotations for Marimba: I + IV
Wolfgang Reifeneder (*1960): Crossover for snare drum
Nebojsa Jovan Zivković (*1962): Suomineito for vibraphone
Christian Benning (*1995): Footsteps for drumset
The Beatles/Toru Takemitsu: Yesterday for marimba
Dante Agostini (1921-1980): Le Train for snare drum
Mark Glentworth (*1958): Blues For Gilbert for vibraphone
Casey Cangelosi (*1980): Bad Touch (Playback/Tape)
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)/Benning: Asturias for marimba
Solo programme 2Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic: Ilijas for marimbaphone
Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic: Suomineito for vibraphone
Askell Masson: Frum for Set-up
Jacob ter Veldhuis: Barracuda for marimbaphone and multipercussion
Dante Agostini: Le Train for snare drum
The Beatles/Toru Takemitsu: Yesterday for marimbaphone
Christian Benning: Drumsolo for drumset
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Isaac Albeniz/Benning: Asturias for marimbaphone
Wolfgang Reifeneder: Crossover for snare drum
Miki Minoru: Time For Marimba for marimbaphone
Casey Cangelosi: Bad Touch (Performance/Playback)
Mark Glentworth: Blues For Gilbert for vibraphone
Iannis Xenakis: Rebonds B for Set-up
Solo programme 3Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic: Ilijas for marimbaphone
Iannis Xenakis: Rebonds B for Set-up
Minoru Miki: Time for marimbaphone
Eliott Carter: Eight Pieces for Four Timpani
Dante Agostini: Le Train for snare drum
Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic: Suomineito for vibraphone
Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic/Benning: To The Gods of Rhythm for djembe, narration and drumset
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Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic/Benning: Trio Per Uno for Set-up
Isaac Albeniz/Benning: Suite Espagnola for marimbaphone
Wolfgang Reifeneder: Crossover for snare drum
The Beatles/Toru Takemitsu: Yesterday for marimbaphone
Casey Cangelosi: Bad Touch (Playback/Tape)
Mark Glentworth: Blues For Gilbert for vibraphone
Christian Felix Benning: Footsteps for drumset
Repertoire with orchestraEmmanuel Sejourné: Concerto for vibraphone
Ney Rosauro: Concerto for marimba
Satoshi Yagisawa: Concerto for marimba
Ferran Cruixent: Concerto for percussion „Focs d’Artifici“
Dorothea Hofmann: Concerto for vibraphone „Sehnsucht“
Enjott Schneider: Concerto for percussion (first performance 2021/22)

In planning:

Tan Dun: “Tears of Nature“
Tobias Broström: “Arena”
Avner Dorman: “Frozen in Time”
 

Repertoire

Repertoire with orchestra:
Tobias Broström: Concerto for Percussion „Arena“
Ferran Cruixent: Concerto for Percussion „Focs d’Artifici“
Avner Dorman: Concerto for Percussion „Frozen in Time“
Tan Dun: Concerto for Percussion „Tears of Nature“
Dorothea Hofman: Concerto for Vibraphone „Sehnsucht“ (world premiere 2021)
Ney Rosauro: Concerto for Marimba
Emmanuel Séjourné: Concerto for Vibraphone Satoshi Yagisawa: Concerto for Marimba