Biography

Ab Koster is a renowned Dutch hornist whose career spans decades as both a brilliant performer and an influential educator.

Born into a musical family in The Hague, Holland, as the son of a Dutch hornist, Koster’s early exposure to the instrument set the stage for his future achievements. After earning the prestigious “Prix d’Exellence” at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague, he continued on to further his craft at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany, studying under the legendary Hermann Baumann, who once described him as one of the “leading hornists of his generation.”

From 1977 to 1990, Koster served as the principal horn in the NDR Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg, where he built a reputation as an exceptional orchestral player. In 1990, he transitioned to a career as a soloist and chamber musician—a decision that allowed him to explore a broader range of repertoire and performance styles. Renowned for his versatility, Koster has captivated audiences both on the modern valved horn and the historical natural horn, and has brought renewed life to classical concertos by composers such as Mozart and Strauss. His collaborations with celebrated artists like Jean-Pierre Rampal, Gustav Leonhardt, and Frans Brüggen have earned him much international acclaim and have taken him on concert tours across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and beyond.

Above and beyond his performance career, Ab Koster is highly valued as an educator. He served as the Professor of Horn at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hamburg, Germany, for 39 years, until his retirement in 2019. His teaching legacy is remarkable—94% of his former students now hold positions as professional performers, a testament to his influence and dedication in nurturing new generations of horn players. Even after retiring from his long-term professorship, Koster has continued to contribute to the field by giving masterclasses and further promoting natural horn performance at institutions such as the Hannover University for Music, Drama, and Media in Germany and around the world.

Throughout his career, Ab Koster has not only enriched the concert stage, but has also advanced horn pedagogy and performance practice. His accomplishments and stature have been recognized by the International Horn Society (IHS), of which he is one of only 35 living honorary members. His many masterclasses as well as recordings and live performances across all media platforms have left a lasting mark on both the classical and period instrument communities, inspiring horn players around the world to explore the rich traditions of both modern and natural horn playing.

Ab Koster’s life and work reflect a deep commitment to musical excellence, both in performance and education. His enduring contributions have helped to shape the horn world, ensuring that his influence will resonate with students, audiences, and fellow musicians for many years to come.

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