Francis Orval

Francis Orval, internationally renowned soloist and recording artist, is Professor of Horn at the Musikhochschule in Trossingen, Germany.

Born in Liège, Belgium, he became an American citizen in 1987 during a seven-year stay in the U.S. He has had 20 years experience as principal horn with major orchestras in Belgium and Luxemburg before going to America in 1983 and serving as a university professor at several institutions. During his first European period, Mr. Orval served as a professor at the music conservatories in Liège and Luxemburg. Other administrative positions have included co-director of the Grétry Music Academy in Liège, Artistic Music Director for the Académie Internationale d'Eté de Wallonie, and founder/organizer of two international horn competitions in 1977 and 1981. He has served as an adjudicator for several competitions and is, a member of the International Horn Society's advisory council.

Invited around the world to perform as soloist, recitalist. And chamber musician on both modern and natural horn, Mr. Orval is also frequently called upon to present master classes. He directs various ensembles, and as an accomplished chamber artist, has founded several groups. In 1987 Orval received First Prize at the Louise D. McMahon International Music Competition in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Among his numerous recordings are Brahms' trio with the late A. Grumiaux, violin, and G. Sebok, piano (Philips); Haydn's concerto for two horns (Decca); Belgian contemporary music (Polydor-Deutsche Gramophon); Schumann's Konzertstück, Saint-Saëns' Morceau de Concert, Weber's Concertino, etc. (VOX/Turnabout); a horn transcription of Bach cello’s suites and the Mozart Horn Concerti (CD Marcophon). He recorded with the pianist Jean Claude Vanden Eyden, masters’ pieces for horn and piano. On natural horn, he has recorded the Berwald and Beethoven septets with the Uppsala Chamber Soloists (Sweden) and several works with La Petite Bande directed by Sigiswald Kuijken (Belgium).