Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz

Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz (*1997 in Vienna) is one of the most versatile percussionists of his generation. The multi-award-winning multi-percussionist and drummer has been performing on major international stages for many years, either as a soloist or as a guest with renowned ensembles such as Elbtonal Percussion (as a fix member since 2026) or the CBPercussion Group at spectacular festivals and projects. In addition to selected works of contemporary classical music, his constantly growing solo repertoire primarily includes his own compositions. Max Schwarz cultivates a hybrid compositional style consisting of classical compositional approaches from different eras and cultures, his own serial concepts and electronic production. His avant-garde pieces are published by Edition Svitzer (Copenhagen); he also regularly produces for television, film and theatre. 

As part of the jury of the ‘Stellar Composition Competition’ (2nd prize for Constellations I), percussion luminary Dame Evelyn Glennie praised the piece with the following words: ‘It's the best piece I have ever come across that explores sound effects on the marimba in a really musical way. It is the essence of the piece rather than an ‘addition’. Maximilian is absolutely superb and the video work is really well done.’ 

As a drummer, he fuses driving grooves, elements from world music and complex polyrhythms with live electronics. With this characteristic style, he is part of the world music/electronica trio maTrigal and the electronica band CozmicRip. After completing two bachelor’s degrees in pop/world music (drums) and classical music (percussion) at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, he went on to complete a master’s degree in classical music at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München. Max Schwarz is currently continuing his studies in the postgraduate programme “Excellence in Performance” with Prof. Alexej Gerassimez. Since 2025, he has also been teaching himself, giving a rhythm workshop at the Seefeld Music Festival Summer Academy and a master class at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where he worked with local students on his own compositions and presented them in a joint final concert. In recent years, he has toured Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, and China.  

Please find a CV and short biography in the downloads folder under "Press-Kit".