Walter Zimmermann

Full biography Walter Zimmermann

Walter Zimmermann is a German composer , born on April 15, 1949 in Schwabach, Mittelfranken. He is known for his works in stage, orchestral, chamber, choral, vocal, piano, and electro-acoustic genres. Zimmermann studied composition with Hans Ulrich Humpert, Wilhelm Killmayer, and Klaus Huber in Germany.

He has been included among composers who write in a minimalist style , and his music has been performed and recorded worldwide. His works often incorporate free rhythm, slowly evolving textures, and spacious harmonies. Zimmermann's music can be characterized as contemplative, with a focus on the passing of time and the fragility of human existence.

Zimmermann has collaborated with many musicians and artists during his career, including Robert Ashley, Alvin Lucier, and Phill Niblock. He has also written about music and taught composition, including at the Hochschule fuer Musik in Frankfurt, and the Hochschule fuer Musik und Tanz in Cologne.

Some of his notable works include "Twenty-One Piano Pieces" (1973-1975), "Gulliver's Reise" (1981) for string quartet and tape, and "Lokale Musik" (1985-1990), a series of works based on traditional music from different regions of Germany. Zimmermann's music has been featured on several recordings from labels such as Mode Records and Soundohm.

Overall, Walter Zimmermann is a highly regarded composer known for his minimalist style and contemplative approach to music. His works have been performed and recorded worldwide, and his contributions to contemporary classical music are highly regarded.