Detlef Bensmann

• Born 1958 in Berlin, Germany
• From 1975 to 1984, saxophone and double bass studies at Berlin University of the Arts, both graduated with Konzertexamen
• In 1979/80, double bassist with Deutsche Oper Berlin
• Debut as Saxophone Soloist at Berliner Philharmonie with the German Symphony Orchestra 1980
• From 1984 to 1986, scholarship from the City of Berlin for research on acoustic characteristics of the saxophone and development of new playing techniques
• Principal of the Bensmann Saxophone Quartet (formerly Berlin Saxophone Quartet) from 1984 to 2006 and currently Concertmaster
• From 1986 to 1993, first ever Saxophone Soloist on the Artists List of the German Music Council
• Collaboration as soloist with many orchestras in Germany, Poland, Cuba, Slovenia, Macedonia, Switzerland, Austria and Sweden as well as concerts as chamber musician at many German and international festivals (e.g. Festival for New Music in Havana, Cuba)
• First works as composer on the orchestration of “Hot Sonate” by Erwin Schulhoff 1994, an “American Songbook” for baritone and orchestra, three saxophone concerts and a new orchestration of “Moorish Rhapsody” for saxophone and orchestra by Claude Debussy
• In 1999, direction of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra in the concert series “rund um…”
• In 2011/12, concert activities and master courses in China
• CD releases of over 20 saxophone concertos
• Since 1984, teacher at Berlin University of the Arts, since 1991 at Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin and since 2010 at Rostock University of Music and Theatre