Zimmermann occupies a special position in German music of the twentieth century, his musical language and techniques relatively original. For much of his career he taught at the Cologne Musikhochschule, drawing, in his music, on his own wide cultural background and his own roots in Catholic teaching and tradition.

Operas
Die Soldaten has been considered by many to be the most improtant German opera since Berg’s Lulu.

Orchestral Music
Zimmermann’s orchestral works include concertos for violin, for oboe, for atrings and for orchestra, with Canto di speranza (Song of Hope) for cello and orchestra.