Page 46 - The Strad (February 2020)
P. 46
JERRY HORNER
A VIRTUOSO
TEACHER
In February last year, former Fine Arts Quartet violist Jerry Horner died at the age of 83.
China Conservatory of Music violin professor and past Horner student James Dickenson
TGHNGEVU QP VJG ECTGGT CPF VGCEJKPI NGICE[ QH C ƒPG OGPVQT FTCYKPI QP KPVGTXKGYU
YKVJ *QTPGTŨU UVWFGPVU CPF EQNNGCIWGU CPF YKVJ /CTICTGV %NGOGPVU JKU YKFQY
he life and achievements of the American violist and most profound music in the form of chamber music. I think
Jerry Horner are celebrated in a memorial service in the repertoire is unbelievable. en, there is the mix of
Bloomington, Indiana, on 1 February, a year after his individuality and give and take in a group of chamber musicians,
T death. Bloomington was Horner’s home town on and the knowledge of the music that is necessary in order to be a
and o for 50 years, and although he was ill for some time, he still good chamber music player. If the musicians all have
taught there. In the last few days of his life he gave a masterclass at understanding and a similar approach to the music, something
his home, during which he reiterated what he considered to be the really transcendent can happen.’ at transcendent quality,
privilege of a chamber musician’s life: ‘Most of the greatest Horner said, is ‘the ability of music to teach us to be better human
composers have written their nest, most intimate, most heartfelt beings’. As always, he was happy to have contributed in a
44 THE STRAD FEBRUARY 2020 www.thestrad.com
