AUSTRIA, SALZBURG

HandpanMaker since: 2016

Oxymora-Instruments was founded in 2017 by the instrument builder Mark Ulrich in Salzburg. Starting in early childhood, Mark lived his profound passion for music. At the age of 5 he began playing the Cello. At the age of 10 the classic guitar followed. Disheartened by conventional musical education he set aside his instruments. Years later he purchased a Djembé and began playing and learning without instructions. His passion for music was rekindled.

In 2009, after a long search, the first handpan crossed his path. He immediately fell in love with the interplay of percussion and melody, merged within the instrument, which can be generated intuitively by any player. At the age of 19, during his apprenticeship as a gardener, he responded to the call of the unknown and embarked on a peregrination, which would last 6 months, free from time and money to find himself.

Back home, he had problems finding a fulfilling occupation as well as more handpans to satisfy his hunger for these beautiful instruments. The dream to become a creator of instruments himself was born. In 2016 he and his family moved to a small house, hidden away in the alps. In the on-site workshop the dream is being fulfilled with great fervor. The tools and techniques are constantly subject to advancement and each instrument is shaped with a distinct accoustic color and scale. With meticulous craftsmanship and loving care each piece obtains its individual character.