Kyle Horch

Kyle Horch studied with Frederick Hemke at Northwestern University in Chicago, and with Stephen Trier at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

As a young musician, he won numerous prizes at competitions in Britain, Europe, and the USA. He made his London debut at the Purcell Room in 1989, and since then has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at many venues in Britain and abroad.

His recordings ChamberSax, AngloSax and Flotilla have received international praise: “This is a stunning album.” American Record Guide (for AngloSax).

As a freelance musician, he has performed on concerts, broadcasts, tours, and recordings with many ensembles including Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, chamber ensemble Counterpoise, and Michael Law’s Piccadilly Dance Orchestra.

He has been a saxophone professor at the Royal College of Music in London since 1991, and saxophone teacher at Royal Holloway University of London since 2011. He has given master classes in Britain, France, Holland, Ireland, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Singapore, Australia, and the USA.

A chamber programme themed around the love affair between Alma Mahler and Oskar Kokoschka - exploring it first through late 19th - early 20th century works written by Alma and Gustav Mahler, Richard Wagner, Alexander Zemlinky, Anton Webern, and David Matthews, and then through a substantial new work by John Casken, Kokoschka's Doll. Vocal soloists: Sir John Tomlinson, Rozanna Madylus. Counterpoise: Fenella Humphreys, violin; Kyle Horch, saxophone and clarinet; Deborah Calland, trumpet; Iain Farrington, piano. Further information here: https://www.champshillrecords.co.uk/687/Kokoschkas-Doll

During the Covid lockdown I have been working with the composer Denise Ondishko, helping her prepare two works she wrote for me about 20 years ago for publication: Botticellian Trees and Water Music. Both pieces are for alto saxophone with digital accompaniment. They are both based on American poetry, which is incorporated into the accompaniment file, and are sister pieces to a similar work she published last year, Cover Us With Song. So all three pieces are finally published, by J. W. Pepper. Really attractive music, worth exploring. Further information here:  https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/search.jsp?keywords=Denise+Ondishko+saxophone

Kyle Horch has released in 2023 the album Classical Changes, recorded with Art Deco Trio on the SOMM Recordings label. It's a program of well-known classical and folk music in new arrangements with a jazz twist, by Iain Farrington.

His latest album to date is Inflorescence with pianist Anya Fadina (Norwood Recordings).

Photo credit: Nicky Colton-Milne