Amberg Trio

The Amberg Trio was formed in 2019, with three like-minded musicians determined to bring the beautiful trio repertoire for cello, clarinet and piano to as many people as possible. With magnificent pieces by Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven, as well as many others and some beautiful vignettes that they arranged themselves during the COVID pandemic, they have programmes to suit all likes and tastes!

Alongside their trio commitments, they are all busy with solo recitals and orchestral work across the country, as well as being heavily involved in education.

They have performed all over the country and have been praised wherever they have performed. Simon Davies from Katherine Concerts Ampthill said: The Amberg’s impeccable ensemble and communication between the three musicians was impressive…. they had the audience completely enthralled.

Bob Bryan from St Brides in London said: It was the ideal recital, with beautiful playing of a well-chosen programme, all presented with clear, informative and entertaining spoken introductions. Can we talk about a return visit?

Christopher Benham, having begun his musical education as a chorister at Wymondham Abbey, continued his musical studies at the Colchester Institute School of Music where he studied piano with Robert Bell and organ with Ian Ray. After graduating, he joined the Institute’s staff as a piano accompanist. He trained for the teaching profession and subsequently held posts in Harlow and Hertford. Concurrently he was appointed Organist and Director of Music at All Saints’ Church, Hertford where he continued to develop the strong choral tradition and introduced a regular lunchtime concert series. He continues to accompany instrumental and vocal recitals throughout East Anglia and is currently the organist and piano teacher at St Edmund’s College, Ware.

Lawrence Durkin combines teaching with performing as a chamber and orchestral cellist.
He completed his studies with Leonid Gorokhov at the Royal College of Music where he received First-Class honours. He has worked with the Chilingirian and Bochmann Quartets and has performed on Radio 3 with works by Mark-Anthony Turnage.

Lawrence currently teaches at St Georges College in Surrey and The Latymer School in Edmonton. He is enormously passionate about encouraging players of all ages to discover and develop their own talent and musicianship.

David Kirby studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. While there, he studied with György Kurtág and gave performances of Krommer’s Double Concerto with the internationally renowned soloist Kálmán Berkes as well as recitals at the major artistic venues in Hungary. For more than twenty years David has been busy with recitals throughout Britain, Europe and America.

Since being awarded his PhD by the Royal College of Music, this international prize-winning clarinettist has performed the great Mozart Concerto at St John’s Smith Square on several occasions and has presented world premiere performances of a variety of pieces including three, where he was the dedicatee, from the esteemed British composer Brian Chapple.