Locally born French horn player, David was only fourteen when he won the prestigious BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 1988 – at the time, the youngest competitor to take the title. Then a pupil at Watford Boys’ Grammar School, David first read History at Selwyn College, Cambridge before forging an international career as a musician starting as principal horn player with the London Symphony Orchestra, then with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and more recently with the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
David continues to be a sought-after soloist and ensemble player in concert halls throughout the world, as well as finding time for teaching younger players as Professor of Horn at the Guildhall School of Music. Since 2013, he has held a similar post with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
David made his BBC Proms debut in 1993 and has reappeared there several times since, giving a memorable performance of the Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No. 1 at the Last Night in 2004. At one of his many performances at the Edinburgh Festival he gave a special recital to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of legendary horn player Dennis Brain, whose playing had greatly inspired him as a young musician. David has made many critically acclaimed solo recordings and can be heard playing on the soundtracks accompanying major films such as the Star Wars and Harry Potter series.
David lives in Rickmansworth with his wife and two children.