Eric Sammut

Orchestre de Paris

Eric Sammut began his musical education studying piano, and later attended percussion classes with Michel Ventula at the National Regional Conservatory (NRC) in Toulouse. In 1989, the same year that he received a unanimous First Prize as a student of Francois Dupin and Georges Van Gucht, Eric Sammut became principal percussionist with the Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Lyon.

In 1995, after receiving the First National Marimba Prize of New York, he undertook a recital tour and gave masterclasses in the United States, Europe and Asia. He began teaching marimba in Toulouse in 1995, as well as at the NRC in Paris and the Royal Academy of Music in London and Glasgow, in addition to being principal percussionist with the Orchestre de Paris. Since 1994, he has composed a number of pieces for marimba solo and ensembles published in France, the United States, Norway and Japan.

After participating in numerous CD and video productions with the Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre National de l’Opera de Lyon and Orchestre de Paris, he produced the CD Four-Mallet Ballet — an album for solo marimba in 2005. A new CD, Mirages, was realized in 2008 with musicians Philippe Berrod, Eric Echampard and David Patrois and the String Quintet of the Orchestre de Paris.

Eric Sammut is a Malletech artist. His newest CD, Sailing in Seoul, includes his own concerto for marimba and concerto for vibes.