Axel Grüner, principal horn player with the Staatskapelle Berlin, is eaqually at home with several instruments. Having studied violin and viola as a child, he moved on to horn and piano at age 15. He settled for the horn and graduated from the Musikhochschule "Carl Maria von Weber" in Dresden, where he studeied under Prof. Peter Damm. Experimenting with different facets of his instrument, he has played orchestral and solo music, as well as in big band and chamber formations. He is much in demand by various chamber groups. However, the Wind Quintet of the Staatskapelle Berlin remains closest to his heart.