bˈɔːɹn ɪn lˈɑːɹ, bˈædənwˌuːətˈɛmbɜːɡ, zˈɪmɚmən bɪɡˈæn lˈɜːnɪŋ ðə vaɪˈoʊlə æɾ ˈeɪdʒ θɹˈiː, ænd kəmˈɛnst piˈænoʊ stˈʌdiz æɾ ˈeɪdʒ fˈaɪv.
Born in Lahr, Baden-Württemberg, Zimmermann began learning the viola at age three, and commenced piano studies at age five.