Colin Horsley facts for kids

Colin Robert Horsley (born April 23, 1920 – died July 28, 2012) was a talented classical pianist and teacher from New Zealand. He spent his whole working life in the United Kingdom. He was especially known for his important musical work with the famous composer Sir Lennox Berkeley.

Colin Horsley's Life Story

Colin Horsley was born in Whanganui, New Zealand, in 1920. When he was 16, in 1936, he began studying music at the Royal College of Music in London. There, he learned from several great teachers like Herbert Fryer and Irene Scharrer.

His first big solo performance was playing Rachmaninoff's difficult Piano Concerto No. 3. In 1946, he was the first to perform Humphrey Searle's Piano Concerto No. 1. This is called a "premiere."

Working with Lennox Berkeley

Colin Horsley had a special connection with the composer Lennox Berkeley. In 1948, Colin was the first to play Berkeley's Piano Concerto. He also premiered, or first performed, some of Berkeley's other piano pieces.

Colin even asked Berkeley to write a special piece for him. This was a Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano. Colin performed its premiere in March 1953. He played it with famous musicians Dennis Brain (on horn) and Manoug Parikian (on violin).

Berkeley's Piano Sonata, Op. 20, was first played by another pianist, Clifford Curzon. But Colin Horsley performed it many times after that. He even recorded it in 1959, working closely with the composer. Berkeley dedicated his Concert Study in E‑flat to Colin. Colin also asked Berkeley to write a Scherzo as a short, fun piece to play after his Six Preludes.

Other Collaborations and Teaching

Colin Horsley also performed all of Beethoven's violin sonatas with the violinist Max Rostal. He worked with Dennis Brain again to play and record horn trios by Berkeley and Brahms.

He also premiered Nikolai Medtner's Piano Quintet. Medtner himself was too ill to play it. After Medtner passed away, his wife asked Colin to play Medtner's Third Piano Concerto at a special memorial concert in 1952.

After touring and performing for many years, Colin Horsley became a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Royal Manchester College of Music from 1964 to 1980. He also taught at the Royal College of Music in London from 1955 to 1990.

In 1963, Colin Horsley was given a special award called an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions. When he retired, he lived on the Isle of Man. He was also the Patron, or supporter, of the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra. Colin Horsley passed away on July 28, 2012, at the age of 92.

Recordings

You can still find some of Colin Horsley's recordings today. These include:

• The Berkeley Horn Trio and Mozart works with the Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble.
• Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 14.
• The Piano Concerto in E-flat major by John Ireland.
• Works with violinist Max Rostal by composers like Debussy, Delius, Elgar, Schubert, Schumann, Stravinsky, and Walton.