Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on May 8, 2026
Table of contents:
Have you recently listened to a handpan artist named Marcel Hutter? Did you especially enjoy the melodies he creates on his instrument? Want to learn more about the artistic journey of this percussionist who specializes in playing the handpan?
I discovered Marcel Hutter in 2023 with the release of his third album, "Heart of Glass," and I was immediately hooked on his sonic universe and his unique way of composing. Since then, Iâve been keeping an eye on his latest news and new handpan melodies, and I can share everything worth knowing about this artist.
After reading this article in its entirety, you will learn:
- How Marcel Hutter discovered the handpan
- How he went from being a street performer to recording several albums
- A few details about his personal life
By the end, youâll have a closer look at the world of this hugely talented musician and percussionist, making it even easier to connect with the songs he creates.
Letâs start with how Marcel Hutter first crossed paths with the Hang.
How did Marcel Hutter discover the handpan?
Marcel Hutter is a musician from Linz, Austria, with a passion for the handpan, a melodic steel percussion instrument. He discovered it in 2012 and bought his first model the following year. At the time, there were no teachers available to show him the ropes, so Marcel learned on his own through hands-on experimentation. That seemingly endless passion for the handpan opened a whole new chapter in his life. He threw himself into this innovative instrument, traveling the world to play it as his personal collection of handpans kept growing. Originally a street musician, he first made a name for himself busking in Linz and beyond, captivating passersby with the handpanâs mesmerizing sound.
From the very beginning, Marcel Hutter was determined to truly master the handpan. In 2013, he started out on a first model called a Caisa drum, before trying a steelharp. Those experiences eventually led him to purchase an instrument from the Ayasa brand. Getting this âHoly Grailâ wasnât easy: Marcel recalls that when handpan maker Ralf Himmler (creator of Ayasa) invited him to pick up an instrument in early 2015, he didnât have the money. So he played music on the street nonstop all winter, "until his fingers bled," to raise the funds. Thanks to that relentless effort, he traveled to the Netherlands to pick up his Ayasa Ayaziska, which has remained his main instrument ever since.
By being self-taught, Marcel Hutter developed a playing style thatâs entirely his own. Because the handpan is such a young instrument (created in the early 2000s), he was able to experiment freely and shape a personal approach. Marcel Hutter isnât only a handpan player, eitherâheâs a versatile percussionist with experience on many instruments, such as the cajĂłn, kalimba, and drum kit, even if his favorite instruments remain the many handpans he owns.
What is this percussionist's discography and musical projects?
Throughout his career, Marcel Hutter has brought his musical explorations to life through several self-produced albums. His first album, entitled "Songs from the Steel," was released in 2014. Recorded early in his journey, it captures the raw energy of a street musician. Marcel initially sold it himself during outdoor performances, offering listeners the chance to take home a CD. Two years later, he released a second album, "Time for Change," in 2016, marking an evolution in his style.
More recently, Marcel unveiled his third album, "Heart of Glass," released in 2023. This project is especially meaningful to him because it showcases a fresh fusion between the handpan and other instruments. Heart of Glass features compositions where the handpanâs airy sound blends with bass, violin, and drums, adding richness and depth to the arrangements. To make that vision real, Marcel brought additional musicians into the studio, creating a truly collaborative approach that contrasts with his early solo days. The album includes standout tracks such as "Vanitas" and "Ocean," which highlight the chemistry between the handpanâs acoustic pulse and other instrumental colors. This step into a full âbandâ format also gave rise to Marcel Hutter & Band on stage, with whom he performs these newer compositions at festivals. You can get a glimpse of all this in the video below:
In addition to his albums, Marcel regularly shares music videos online. His YouTube channel and Facebook page are packed with live and outdoor sessions showcasing new instruments and fresh melodies. For example, he made a memorable video of a spontaneous duet in a cave in the south of France with Portuguese handpan player Kabeção, an unusual collaboration in which Marcel plays a Meridian handpan tuned to E Integral while Kabeção accompanies him on the hulusi (Chinese flute), all set in the natural acoustics of an underground cavern. You can also find collaborations with Malte Marten, another world-renowned handpan player.
How has this Hang drum player's musical career evolved?
Through perseverance, Marcel Hutter has gone from the cobblestones of Linz to stages around the world. A street artist at heart, he spent many years performing at street festivals in his region. He was particularly noticed at the Pflasterspektakel in Linz, a famous street arts festival, where his absence was even noted one year by the loyal audience. But it didnât take long for his talent to reach beyond Austriaâs borders. Marcel has performed on several continentsânot only in Europe (Austria, Germany, France, etc.), but also in the Americas and Asiaâintroducing the sound of the handpan to a wide range of audiences. His instrumental music, both atmospheric and rhythmic, resonates with an international crowd looking for new sounds.
Marcel Hutter is a regular guest at festivals dedicated to the handpan and world music. In 2017, he took part in the very first edition of the Handpan Festival in Berlin, where he performed his piece "Hope" to an enthralled audience. The following year, in 2018, he performed in France at the Handpan World Music Festival in MĂšze, alongside other big names in the handpan scene. At home in Austria, Marcel is a regular at the GRIASDI festival, where he often performs. More recently, in October 2024, Marcel Hutter was one of the headline artists at the first edition of the UFO Handpan Festival in Erlangen, Germany, where he performed with his band Marcel Hutter & Band alongside other virtuosos such as Mandara, Archer & Tripp, and Tom Vaylo.
Itâs worth noting that Marcel Hutterâs fame isnât limited to the handpan community. A versatile musician, he has also been involved in other musical projects. Since 2019, for example, he has been the drummer for a rock band called Redkin, based in Linz. In this more "electric" role, Marcel shows he can drive a rock band just as powerfully as he can shape melodic percussion. You can see this artist in one of the bandâs music videos below:
Alongside all this, Marcel Hutter also devotes himself to teaching, offering workshops to share his passion for the handpan with others. He has also launched his own handpan brand, which he named "NĂ©bula," with models manufactured in China by trusted craftsmen. Finally, it was also thanks to the handpan that Marcel Hutter met his partner HĂ©lĂšneâthey first crossed paths at a concert by the world-famous handpan player Manu Delago.
Play your own handpan, just like Marcel Hutter
Starting out as a street musician and becoming a globetrotting concert performer, Marcel Hutter has carved his own path to the rhythm of the handpan. His biography, rich in experiences and projects, reflects the rise of this extraordinary instrument. Through this article, you now know the full story of this artist's career.
However, Marcel Hutter would never have achieved such success if he hadn't had a high-quality instrument that brought out his hidden potential. To help you unlock yours too, I recommend the handpans sold by Instruments du Monde. Youâll find an unparalleled selection of diverse models, all designed to deliver beautifully balanced acoustic vibrations. For example, this 12-note model will let you create an impressive number of melodies while truly enjoying every session.
Get this handpan now by clicking on the image below:
Now that you know all about Marcel Hutter, why not discover another young talent in the form of Dan Mulqueen, an American who literally fell in love with the handpan and became one of the rising stars of this percussion instrument?
