Biography 

Based in Paris, Florentin Klingelschmitt is currently pursuing advanced studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Winner of numerous international competitions — in London, Portugal, Switzerland, and Germany — he was awarded the prestigious Keiko Abe Prize at the World Marimba Competition in Stuttgart in 2022, and went on to receive the First Absolute Prize at the Italypas competition in 2024.

Highly active on the orchestral scene, he has taken part in several renowned academies, including Verbier under the baton of James Gaffigan, and Gstaadt Academy Festival Menuhin. As a soloist, he has performed with orchestras in both Switzerland and France, and has been invited to appear at the International University Music Festival (FIMU) in Belfort as well as the Young Talents Concert in Strasbourg.

"There are still relatively few works composed specifically for the marimba. That’s why I strive to adapt pieces originally written for other instruments, in order to help expand its repertoire. Deeply passionate about this instrument, I seek to reveal all of its sonic beauty and expressive potential."