Benjamin Schüle: A Percussionist Bridging Tradition and Innovation

Welcome to the personal website of Benjamin Schüle, a musician redefining the boundaries of classical percussion. Born and raised in Schaffhausen, my musical journey has taken me from the initial rhythms of boys’ music bands to the stages of classical music.

My Path to Music

From drums and percussion to the xylophone - my early fascination with rhythm instruments was sparked in the boys’ music band of Schaffhausen. By the age of 17, I was already performing as a soloist on stage, an experience that laid the foundation for my musical career. My studies in classical percussion at the Schaffhausen Conservatory expanded my musical spectrum and led me to masterclasses and further training with renowned teachers like Leigh Howard Stevens, Peter Sadlo at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and Klaus Tresselt at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart.

Artistic Highlights and Innovations

Award-Winning Virtuosity: Winning the Schaffhausen Walther-Bringolf Prize in 1998 was an early milestone in my career, recognizing my dedication and skill in the field of classical percussion.
Development of a New Playing Technique: In recent years, I have dedicated myself intensively to the marimba four-mallet technique. By combining the advantages of the Stevens and Burton techniques, an innovative playing style has emerged that allows me to unfold the full sound spectrum of the marimba with unprecedented precision and expressiveness.

Marimba at St. Johann: A Window to the World of the Marimba

With the concert series “Marimba at St. Johann” that I initiated, I pursue a clear goal: to make the marimba accessible to a broader audience and to establish its fascinating versatility in the classical concert context. I see immense potential for the marimba to impact far beyond its traditional boundaries and to claim a solid repertoire in the world of classical music. Through this concert series, I aim to highlight the unique timbres and emotional depth of the marimba and demonstrate how it can enrich the classical music spectrum. It is my concern to lift the marimba out of its niche existence and give it the stage presence it deserves. “Marimba at St. Johann” is more than just a concert series – it is a movement aimed at redefining the perception and appreciation of this extraordinary instrument.

Notable Performances

A highlight of my career was the virtuoso marimba concert at St. Johann Church, accompanied by the exquisite Eleas String Quartet and the talented French pianist Raphaëlle Proust. The versatility of the marimba, from traditional African and South American sounds to contemporary compositions, was the focus of this concert and thrilled the audience.

Press Reviews

The award-winning percussionist from Schaffhausen, Benjamin Schüle, gave a high-caliber concert with his marimba on Sunday evening at the St. Johann Church. It was a remarkable experience to witness the classical musician Benjamin Schüle playing with four mallets, two in each hand, with such dexterity. He performed the entire program from memory, allowing him the physical freedom to effortlessly leap between various tonal ranges. The famous four-movement concert impressed with its rapid tempos, intriguing rhythms, groovy dance sections, jazzy and Brazilian touches, as well as melancholic passages interspersed with spectacular marimba solos.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 31.10.2023

Then, suddenly, the wonderful happens. The inexplicable yet profoundly felt. The artist interpreted and conjured works from various centuries out of the marimba, with which he seemed to merge, forgetting everything around him.

Klettgauer Bote, 21.10.2020

… and provided the Schaffhausen percussionist Benjamin Schüle with a noteworthy musical performance.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 7.9.2009

At the concert, they brought the three works to life before a fascinated audience with the bravura that comes from thorough ensemble effort. Both musicians understood their craft and employed their artistic creativity, making the evening a delight to listen to. Ney Rosauro’s marimba concerto thrives on the tension between pulsating motoric rhythms and varying irregular meters on one hand, and the fantasy of variations and improvisation over a fixed bass (in Farewell) on the other. Alongside sophisticated sound nuances, Schüle impressed with his sensitivity in choosing mallets, which proved highly effective later on.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 17.9.2003

… in Khatchaturian’s famous “Sabre Dance,” Benjamin Schüle demonstrated professional skill on the xylophone …

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 2.4.2001

The concert continued with Ney Rosauro’s Concert for Marimba and String Orchestra featuring Benjamin Schüle on the marimba. Explosive South American polyrhythms, presented with elegance and precision, soon transported the audience to the Copacabana, where the soloist impressively showcased not only his great skill and musicality but also the physical fitness necessary for this expansive instrument. Put simply: sport and music with a pleasing touch of exoticism.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 28.6.1999

Engel wrote a brilliant xylophone solo, which was partially repeated at the audience’s request. It was performed by Benjamin Schüle, who handled his prominent task confidently and presentably.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 26.3.1998

Benjamin Schüle once again shone with a skillfully performed xylophone solo of the “Tell Fantasy” by G. Rossini, arranged by F. Krüger.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 21.5.1995

The greatest audience applause, however, was garnered by the young xylophone virtuoso Benjamin Schüle with his brilliant solo interpretation of the spirited classical “Csárdás” by Vittorio Monti, which left nothing to be desired and was encored.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 11.6.1994

With Benjamin Schüle as the xylophone soloist and the excellently prepared corps under the direction of Hansjörg Bollinger, the Csárdás by Vittorio Monti in the arrangement by Willy Hautvast became a listening pleasure, making an encore inevitable.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 12.4.1994

The well-known “Tell Fantasy” arranged by Fritz Krüger turned out to be a brilliant showcase for the corps’ own xylophone virtuoso, Beni Schüle, with subtle background support from the very precise corps.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 4.6.1993

Fritz Krüger compiled the melodies of the overture to the opera “William Tell” into a solo for xylophone and wind orchestra accompaniment and titled this composition “Tell Fantasy.” Benjamin Schüle performed this piece with aplomb, supported by the corps in a dynamically exemplary manner. It was no surprise that the audience demanded a repeat with prolonged applause.

Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 15.1.1993

… presented under the title “Tell Fantasy Op. 4,” highlighting the talented Benjamin Schüle as a brilliant xylophone soloist, who was applauded for an encore.

Andelfinger Bote, 9.1.1993