Arnold Marinissen

Percussionist Arnold Marinissen (1966) shares his time between his country of birth The Netherlands, New Zealand and other places, performing solo repertoire and chamber music, and giving recitals, workshops and masterclasses around the world.

Since 2003, record label BVHaast has released three solo CDs by Marinissen: Traces of Cultures, Layered Rhythms and Percussionist Songs. Favourable press about these CDs includes the following statements: “The infectious delight Marinissen brings to performances of contemporary music”, “percussionist extraordinaire Arnold Marinissen ...”, “A wonderful collection of stimulating solo percussion performances”.

Marinissen regularly performs around New Zealand. In 2007 he was a guest performer at the Asia Pacific Festival and the IAMIC Conference, both in Wellington. He has taught at the University of Otago, and presented workshops at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington and at the University of Auckland. He has also performed with Wellington-based ensemble Stroma and Duo Flight, and Auckland-based ensemble 175 East. He has performed as a soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Southern Sinfonia.

Several New Zealand composers have written works for Marinissen, including Rachel Clement, Ross Harris, Dugal McKinnon, Michael Norris and Anthony Ritchie. Three composition students from the New Zealand School of Music wrote pieces for him: Tristan Carter, Simon Eastwood and Lucien Johnson. Marinissen has also performed solo works by Jack Body and Chris Gendall, as well as new works by Dylan Lardelli and Chris Watson premiered in 2007 and 2008.