Christopher Horner

“Christopher Horner is a very fine violinist and musician of  wide experience and broad outlook. He has a good sense of communication when performing. His violin playing evinces a serious and sincere musicianship and a well-founded technique which result in performances of intelligence and musical  integrity.”
Hugh Bean CBE

“Towering challenge of technical virtuosity met with an admirable artistry. Impressive…moods of tenderness, nostalgia, mystery, fun and frolic conveyed in generous measure leaving us certainly wanting more.”  Western Mail Cardiff



A violinist of intellect and distinction.” Peter Esswood, Cellist and Chairman of ESTA 2002-2004

“The gyrations of a bird in flight were skilfully depicted by violinist Christopher Horner in The Lark Ascending”  Gloucestershire Echo

I and my Lithuanian colleagues were particularly taken with your brilliant playing of the sonata for violin and piano by Juozas Gruodis. You have masterfully solved all its problems. Your interpretation was not only technically flawless but also very interesting and convincing”  Algirdas Ambrazas Ethnomusicologist and Professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music   

Christopher Horner was born in London and studied violin at the Centre for Young Musicians, Pimlico with Deryck Wareing, Henry Rubin and Eva Graubin. He furthered his studies with Eva Graubin whilst a student at the Royal Academy of Music, Surrey University and as a postgraduate in Barcelona. He has also received coaching advice from Hugh Bean.

Christopher Horner has played as a recitalist, chamber musician and freelancer throughout the UK, Europe and Southern Africa where he has broadcast on SABC TV. Pianists with whom he works include John Lenehan, Richard Ormrod, Michael Young, Elke Sanjose and Ruth Goveia. He has worked extensively as a member of the New London Orchestra, the London Concert Orchestra , the Welsh Chamber Orchestra and many other chamber and symphony orchestras. Chamber ensembles  include the PM Ensemble Cardiff and the contemporary music group Soundwaves, Durban, South Africa.He performs a wide-ranging repertoire and over the last few years has given the UK premiѐres of the works for violin and piano by the Lithuanian composer Juozas Gruodis (1884-1948) whose compositions remain virtually unknown outside his native country.

In 2004, in recognition of his advocacy of Gruodis, he had the distinction of being invited to the Lithuanian Academy of Music in Vilnius to give a recital with pianist Zoe Smith which attracted much praise from authorities on the composer.

He was invited to teach at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 1999, subsequently becoming Deputy Head of Strings the following year. His many activities apart from violin teaching included coaching chamber music and leading the String Pedagogy courses. He left the post in 2009 in order to return full-time to his playing career. He teaches violin at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and privately. He has worked as an Examiner and Assessor at the College for a number of years and is in increasing demand as an adjudicator at competitions and festivals.

Christopher plays a violin by the Spanish luthier David Bagué I Soler which is a copy of the “Ole Bull” Guarnerius del Gesù.

He can be contacted via his e mail which is Christopher.Horner@rwcmd.ac.uk