Willi Zimmermann

A native of Basel, Willi Zimmermann first took first violin lessons at the age of six. In 1978, he gained admission into Sándor Zöldy’s class at the Basel Conservatory and completed his teaching and concert diploma with distinction. A scholarship gave him the opportunity to continue his studies with Sándor Végh and Günter Pichler. From 1985 to 2007, Zimmermann was first violinist of the internationally active and award-winning Amati Quartet. As first concertmaster of the Musikkollegium Winterthur from 1992 to 2010 and concertmaster of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra since 2008, he has led the orchestra in many concerts, working with such renowned artists as the pianists Krystian Zimerman, Fazıl Say, András Schiff, and Rudolf Buchbinder; the violinists Thomas Zehetmair and Pinchas Zukerman; the cellist Heinrich Schiff; and the flautist Sir James Galway. He has also performed as co-soloist with Daniel Hope, Giuliano Carmignola, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, and many others. Willi Zimmermann has additionally guest conducted the Berliner Barock Solisten.

March 2024