Arts Global

Over the course of many years, Silvio Wey has developed into one of the finest marimba specialists in Switzerland. His outstanding interpretations, combining musicality and aestheticism, are a result of the virtuosity of his 4-Mallet technique.

After high school and several years of lessons in modern and classical percussion, Mr Wey began studying in 2002 at the Music Conservatory-Lucerne, where his main teachers included Erwin Bucher and Raphael Christen. In 2006 he completed his diploma with outstanding marks, and received a scholarship from the Axelle und Max Koch Foundation. Alongside his classical studies, he trained in Cuban percussion (Willy Kotun, Jazz School Lucerne) and drum-set (Erich Strasser, Lucerne).

In 2003 Mr Wey toured with the program "All You Need is Marimba", and in 2005, the "Ultimarimba Tour" as a duo with Martina Balz. With this ensemble he played additional concerts during the Swiss Drummer and Percussion Competition, sponsored by the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation. He has also performed on Swiss television.

In April 2007, Mr Wey performed with the percussion ensemble "Falsa" in Hirosaki, Japan. Falsa celebrates its 30-year anniversary in 2008 and consistently performs with outsanding musicians such as Keiko Abe and Bob Becker.

Mr Wey is very active as a marimba soloist. Alongside a busy concert schedule that includes exhibitions, readings and company or private events, he also plays in several chamber music ensembles, orchestras, conservatory concerts and diploma exams.

Mr Wey has attended masterclasses and lessons with several renowned percussionists, namely Keiko Abe, Peter Sadlo, Bogdan Bacanu, N.J. Zivkovic, Eric Sammut, Momoko Kamiya, Frederic Macarez and Jasmin Kolberg. He performed two duo concerts with Keiko Abe in Germany and also played a composition by Eric Sammut.

As a young student, Mr Wey won the solo competition of the Music School Luzern, and later placed first at the Luzern Solo and Ensemble Competition. In 2000 he won the Soloist Prize at the Swiss Entertainment Contest in the Casino Bern, in 2002 he was the "Classical" solo winner at the Swiss Percussion Competition in Altishofen, and in 2005 was awarded third prize in the finals for Young Soloists from Central Switzerland.

A new project for Autumn 2007: trio Worldtrio with Noriko Tsukagoshi (Japan) and Corina Schranz (Luzern). 2 Marimbas and Vocals. Visit: www.myspace.com/worldtrio for details.

Further information may be found at his official website, www.silviowey.ch.