Achim Zimmermann (Choral Conductor)

Born: 1958 - Dippoldiswalde, near Dresden, Germany

The German choral conductor, Achim Zimmermann, received his artistic training as a member of the Dresdner Kreuzchor from 1969 to 1977. He studied at the Musikhochschule "Franz Liszt" in Weimar choral and orchestral conducting. In addition, he attended international conducting workshops in Leipzig, Stuttgart (directed by Helmuth Rilling), and in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

In 1984, Achim Zimmermann became choir director of the Suhler Philharmonie Suhler and conductor of the Singakademie Suhl. In 1989 he was appointed as director of the Berliner Singakademie, and in 2002 he became the director of the Sing-Akademie Berlin, succeeding Dietrich Knothe. In 2002 he became the director of the Bach-Chor Berlin, succeeding Hanns-Martin Schneidt (1961-1963), Helmuth Rilling (1963-1964) and Karl Hochreither (1964-2001). He is now the musical director of both ensembles. The works of J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn, as well as choral-symphonic and a-cappella literature of the first half of the 20^th Century are at the centre of his work.

From 1991 to 2001 Achim Zimmerman at the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler", from 1993 to 1998 he held a professorship in choral conducting.

Source: Bach-Choir Berlin, English translation (partly) by Aryeh Oron (April 2009)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (April 2009)

Achim Zimmermann: Short Biography | Berliner Singakademie | Bach-Chor Berlin | Bach-Collegium Berlin | Recordings of Vocal Works | Bach-Chor Berlin: Cantata Series

Links to other Sites

Berliner Singakademie: Achim Zimmermann [German]

Bach-Chor Berlin [German/English]