LUGANO PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

The Lugano Percussion Ensemble is a renowned percussion ensemble based in Lugano, Switzerland. The ensemble was founded in 2018 by a group of talented young percussionists who shared a passion for creating unique and innovative percussion performances.
Since its inception, the Lugano Percussion Ensemble has established itself as one of the leading percussion ensembles in Europe, renowned for its technical prowess, musicality, and innovative approach to percussion performance. The ensemble is made up of 6 highly skilled professional percussionists and a conductor who have studied at Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano.

The group has performed extensively throughout Europe, USA and Asia and has had the privilege of being featured in five editions of the esteemed Martha Argerich Festival in Lugano, where they shared the stage and recorded with the legendary pianist herself, Martha Argerich.

One of the key characteristics of the Lugano Percussion Ensemble is their commitment to exploring the full range of percussion instruments and sounds including pianos in their repertoire. Their latest recording for Stradivarius, features works for 3 pianos, celesta and 6 percussionists.

The group has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, Stradivarius and Musiques Suisses and collaborated with composers such as: Salvatore Sciarrino, Mathias Steinauer, Benjamin Lang, Masahiro Ishijima, Jody Rockmaker, Giacomo Platini, Chris Shultis, Thomas Delio among others.

The Lugano Percussion Ensemble regularly incorporates unconventional instruments and techniques into their performances, such as the use of found objects, electronic devices, and non-Western percussion instruments.

The LPE is kindly supported by the Swiss foundation Pro-Helvetia, Radio della Svizzera Italiana and the Schweizerische
Interpretenstiftung (SIS).

Meet the Musicians

  • GREGORIO DI TRAPANI

    After completing his academic studies in Trapani at the A. Scontrino Conservatory, he obtained Master’s degrees in Music Performance and Music Pedagogy at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano and began his professional career. As a manager and member of the Lugano Percussion Ensemble, he has performed extensively worldwide and collaborated with many renowned artists, including Martha Argerich, Kuniko Kato, Salvatore Sciarrino, Paolo Fresu, and Vinko Globokar. He teaches percussion at the University School of Modern Music in Lugano.

  • ALBERTO TOCCACELI

    He graduated from the Perugia Conservatory under the guidance of Maestro Maurizio Trippitelli and later obtained Master’s degrees in Music Performance and Music Pedagogy at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. He has collaborated with numerous cultural associations, festivals, and orchestras worldwide and is an active performer with the Lugano Percussion Ensemble.

  • LUCA BRUNO

    Graduating in Sicily under the guidance of Maestro Fulvia Ricevuto, he specialized in Switzerland, obtaining Master’s degrees in Music Performance, Music Pedagogy, and Music Soloist at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. He actively performs as a member of the Lugano Percussion Ensemble and has played with the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana under the direction of Heinz Holliger, Alain Lombard, Alexander Vedernikov, and Howard Shelley. He teaches at the University School of the Lugano Conservatory.

  • ANDREA TIDDI

    He graduated from the Perugia Conservatory under the guidance of Maestro Maurizio Trippitelli and later obtained Master’s degrees in Music Performance and Music Pedagogy at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. He has collaborated with numerous cultural associations, festivals, and orchestras worldwide and is an active performer with the Lugano Percussion Ensemble.

  • ARMANDO DE ANGELIS

    After graduating in Rome, he obtained a Master’s degree in Music Performance at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana, focusing on classical repertoire under the guidance of Lorenzo Malacrida, Edoardo Giachino, and Klaus Schwarzler. He has performed extensively as a percussionist in many Italian and international orchestras and is an active member of the Lugano Percussion Ensemble. He is currently a percussionist with the Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

  • RINA ROCCASALVA

    She began her musical studies at the age of 12 in Japan and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance at Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts. She continued her studies in Lugano, obtaining Master’s degrees in Music Performance, Music Pedagogy, and Contemporary Music. She has collaborated with cultural institutions and festivals worldwide and served as an assistant to Bernhard Wulff at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. She actively performs with the Lugano Percussion Ensemble.