Nicholas Korth - Composer and Hornplayer

Nicholas Korth is a composer with a unique vision. His creative exploration of harmony and sound is individual, fascinating and powerful.

Using the natural overtone system - in instrumental and in vocal contexts - creates sound worlds of great individuality and originality. Nicholas is very sensitive and refined in all the musical choices he makes. Be it the texts he chooses to set, or the musicians he collaborates with in his projects. Given that Nicholas, who is a fabulous principal horn in the BBC Symphony Orchestra, has the energy, commitment and vision to compose such individual music, is something extraordinary. I have great admiration for Nicholas as a colleague and as a composer of integrity and great skill.

Martyn Brabbins, former music director, English National Opera

An Introduction

Latest Recordings

New Music Show on BBC Radio 3

As part of the BBC's Wild About Nature week in October 2025, Kate Molleson featured music especially recorded by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

The broadcast included Inscapes by Nicholas Korth with James Gilchrist - tenor, Nicholas Korth - horn and the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kristian Karlson.

Live recording from BBC Maidavale Studios in July 2025 (extract)

Nicholas Korth – Wild Places

Emma Tring – soprano, rain stick, singing bowl, pebbles
Robin Martin – violin, pebbles
Clive Williamson – keyboard, singing bowl, pebbles
Nicholas Korth – gongs, pebbles
recorded at Lossenham Farm Studio, Kent on 3.3.2024, produced, engineered and mixed by Nick Taylor

Nicholas Korth – Mehta Songs

words by Jehanne Mehta read by Richard Cotton
Emma Tring – soprano
The English Sinfonia conducted by Michael Thompson
recorded and mixed by Jon Moon