Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
He is a master of percussion. Bernhard Schimpelsberger has a knack for intuitively embracing new musical languages. His insatiable curiosity about percussion instruments from around the world will also be on display at his concert at the Beethovenfest Bonn 2025. We were there and talked to him about the convergence of Western classical music and Indian classical music. He also showed us some of his unusual homemade instruments.
The Austrian percussionist is known for transferring the rhythms of the Indian tabla to Western percussion instruments. Already at the age of 15, he studied the complex rhythmic system of Indian classical music under master drummer Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, who became Schimpelsberger's guru.
Bernhard Schimpelsberger also travels across all continents to discover new instruments, sounds, and techniques—and loves to combine them into a fusion. He performs on a multi-layered and melodious percussion kit, with a unique style described as “gripping, responsive solo percussion” (Chicago Tribune), “in a style true to that of a tabla virtuoso” (Confluence).
Report: Enno Hinz and Nick Counter
Camera: Natalie Wittmann, Moritz Vogt and Timon Heidorn
Editing: Natalie Wittmann
© Thumbnail photo: Maike Munstermann
© 2025 DEUTSCHE WELLE
Watch more fascinating documentaries: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUu43Xaa5AYyL7MruoJ42WD
and more portraits of interesting musicans: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUGCdoVYLjdUZa_L1OU6tMD
Subscribe to DW Classical Music: youtube.com/dwclassicalmusic
#percussionist #classicalmusic #musicdocumentary
He is a master of percussion. Bernhard Schimpelsberger has a knack for intuitively embracing new musical languages. His insatiable curiosity about percussion instruments from around the world will also be on display at his concert at the Beethovenfest Bonn 2025. We were there and talked to him about the convergence of Western classical music and Indian classical music. He also showed us some of his unusual homemade instruments.
The Austrian percussionist is known for transferring the rhythms of the Indian tabla to Western percussion instruments. Already at the age of 15, he studied the complex rhythmic system of Indian classical music under master drummer Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, who became Schimpelsberger's guru.
Bernhard Schimpelsberger also travels across all continents to discover new instruments, sounds, and techniques—and loves to combine them into a fusion. He performs on a multi-layered and melodious percussion kit, with a unique style described as “gripping, responsive solo percussion” (Chicago Tribune), “in a style true to that of a tabla virtuoso” (Confluence).
Report: Enno Hinz and Nick Counter
Camera: Natalie Wittmann, Moritz Vogt and Timon Heidorn
Editing: Natalie Wittmann
© Thumbnail photo: Maike Munstermann
© 2025 DEUTSCHE WELLE
Watch more fascinating documentaries: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUu43Xaa5AYyL7MruoJ42WD
and more portraits of interesting musicans: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUGCdoVYLjdUZa_L1OU6tMD
Subscribe to DW Classical Music: youtube.com/dwclassicalmusic
#percussionist #classicalmusic #musicdocumentary
