Trio Colores
Energetic, versatile, innovative. This is how the TrioColores presents itself, consisting of Matthias Kessler (born 1997), Luca Staffelbach (born 1996) and Fabian Ziegler (born 1995). The young, award-winning musicians from Switzerland and Austria connect a longstanding, unbroken passion for percussion and an infinite joy in performing music. These qualities are combined in the virtuoso TrioColores.
Kessler, Staffelbach and Ziegler care for a broad spectrum of percussive literature. Their knowledge of classical and contemporary music, combined with their creativity and interest in modern music, challenging its traditional boundaries, results in ambitious and uniquely designed concertprograms. With classical and contemporary works, the TrioColores conveys to the audience the versatility of percussion instruments and always presents new timbres.
Currently, the TrioColores is focusing heavily on classical works, and on giving them a young and fresh sound by creating new arrangements. A major concern of the TrioColores is the development of new compositions, which is why it dedicates itself to commission such new works and working with composers such as Avner Dorman, John Psathas and many more.
The TrioColores gets supported by Klaus Schwärzler (solo percussionist of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich), Benjamin Forster (solo timpanist of the Berliner Philharmoniker) and Raphael Christen (Yamaha marimba artist and soloist), all instructors at the Zurich University of the Arts.
Competition and Awards
2022 - Lerman Gold Prize and Audience Choice Award of the International Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition
2019 - Jury and Audience Award of the Chamber Music Competition of the Migros-Kulturprozent
2019 - Silver Medal "Berliner International Music Competition"
2019 - Prize Winner of "International Anton Rubinstein Competition"
Fabian Ziegler
Born 1995
Fabian Ziegler
Fabian Ziegler completed his studies at the Zurich University of the Arts from 2014 - 2021 with professors Klaus Schwärzler, Benjamin Forster, Raphael Christen, Rainer Seegers and Martin Grubinger Junior.
Ziegler has already gained a lot of experience as a soloist, chamber and orchestra musician. As a soloist, he has performed with the Musikkollegium Winterthur, Zurich Chamber Orchestra, Argovia Philharmonic, Orchestra Wellington, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, and other orchestras worldwide, and has been a guest at major venues such as the Tonhalle Zurich, Konzerthaus Berlin, Meistersingerhalle Nürnberg, Die Glocke Bremen, Kölner Philharmonie, Philharmonie Essen, Staatstheater Braunschweig, Berliner Philharmonie, KKL Lucerne, Lincoln Center in New York City, and many more. In 2023/2024, his debut with the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana will follow.
As a chamber musician, Fabian Ziegler is active in his TrioColores, co-founded in 2018, and with his partner Akvilė Šileikaitė, as well as in many other formations. But Fabian Ziegler also plays in the orchestra as a percussionist with the City Light Symphony Orchestra and as an adjunct with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and the Musikkollegium Winterthur.
Luca Staffelbach
Born 1996
Luca Staffelbach
Luca Staffelbach not only catches the public's eye through his performative activities, but also engages intensively in arranging and composing. He graduated with honors, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master's in Music Education from the Zurich University of the Arts under the guidance of Prof. Raphael Christen, Prof. Benjamin Forster, Prof. Klaus Schwärzler, Prof. Rainer Seegers, and Martin Grubinger Junior.
He is an experienced soloist, chamber, orchestral, and band musician, having performed in renowned concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie, the KKL Luzern, or the Tonhalle Zürich. As a soloist, he has shared the stage with orchestras such as the Orchestra Wellington, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the City Light Orchestra Lucerne, or the Kammerorchester Arpeggione Hohenems. He is a founding member of the award-winning TrioColores, known for their exceptionally designed programs and compelling musicality.
His arrangements resound on international stages with TrioColores and are partly available for purchase. Compositions by Luca Staffelbach have already been performed in the USA, Latin America, Sicily, Finland, and Switzerland.
Matthias Kessler
Born 1997
Matthias Kessler
Matthias Kessler completed his bachelor's studies from 2016 to 2019 at the Zurich University of the Arts under the guidance of Professors Klaus Schwärzler, Benjamin Forster, Raphael Christen, and Martin Grubinger Junior. After graduating in 2019, he was awarded the scholarship of the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic, where he received instruction from Jan Schlichte and Wieland Welzel. Since 2021, Kessler has been pursuing his master's studies at the Hanns Eisler School of Music with Prof. Franz Schindlbeck and Prof. Rainer Seegers.
During his studies, he gained orchestral experience through participation in various youth orchestras in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, and as a member of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. Matthias Kessler is a sought-after guest musician in orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, and the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin.
Since January 2022, Matthias Kessler has held the position of Principal Timpanist and First Percussionist with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he is active in various ensembles and is a co-founder and member of TrioColores.
