Daniel Schmahl

Daniel Schmahl was born in 1969 in Potsdam to a family of musicians. His father Gustav Schmahl was one of the most significant post-war solo violinists. Before discovering his passion for trumpet at the age of 16 during a concert with Ludwig Güttler, he played violin, bassoon and piano, also taking lessons in singing. In 1992 he began to study the trumpet at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music Berlin and took his degree in 1998 at the Liszt School of Music Weimar. Alongside he completed master classes i.e. with Malte Burba as well as the German Brass ensemble. In 1999 he had his debut as soloist: alongside members of the Neubrandenburger Philharmonie he performed the concert for piccolo horn and orchestra by Johann Joachim Quantz. Since then Daniel Schmahl operated successfully as independent solo artist. 

In the course of only a few years he managed to establish himself at the most prestigious national and international music festivals and stages. He thus gave guest performances at the Würzburger Bachtage, Hannover’s “Jazz in June”, St. Thomas Leipzig as well as the Berliner Philharmonie. In November 2009 he gave a widely acclaimed recital for trumpet and organ with Vladimir Khomyakov in the grand hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia. 

In 2006 he released his debut CD “BACH TO BACH” with compositions ranging from music of classic and romantic origin to tango by Astor Piazzolla and jazz by Miles Davis and Kenny Dorham – everything noticeably inspired by the art of the baroque grand master. 2012 was his second album, "Chattin with Bach" at the label Querstand published. Daniel Schmahl considers himself a border crosser between early music, early modern period and jazz, always on the lookout for uncommon possibilities of interpretation and pursuing new musical paths. 

In addition to his manifold projects he is actively engaged in music education and acts as lecturer for trumpet and horn as well as artistic director of the youth brass orchestra at the Kon.Centus in Neubrandenburg.