Born in Aalborg, Denmark Ursula Paludan Monberg was thrown into the world of classical music from the very beginning. Spending much of her childhood under pianos in her mother’s singing lessons or listening to choir rehearsals in the Parish church, the sound of the voice has always been the source of inspiration for her music making. 

Ursula was the first student to take a bachelor’s degree at Guildhall School of Music and Drama with natural horn as her first study. Professor Andrew Clark wrote a completely new syllabus for the instrument and through his very high standards inspired a practice regime and desire for excellence that allows the control of the instrument. 

From 2007-2013 Ursula held the position as principal horn for Concerto Copenhagen and under the direction of Lars-Ulrik Mortensen she made her debut as a soloist with Concerto Copenhagen in 2010 with a tour of Denmark playing concerti by Quantz, Graun and Haydn.

In 2012 Ursula was appointed principal horn for The English Concert following two high profile performances (at the Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms) and St Thomas’, Leipzig) of Bach’s b minor mass, with its demanding solo obligato part for the instrument. This is a piece she has performed many times and indeed she has recorded it to critical acclaim for Arcangelo on Hyperion. 

In February 2020 Ursula’s first solo disc ‘The Early Horn’ with Arcangelo and Jonathan Cohen was released on Hyperion. 

Gramophone – ‘Monberg is demonstrably a master of the instrument.’ 

BBC Music Magazine – ‘The Danish horn player Ursula Paludan Monberg, thoroughly in command of her instrument, produces a miraculously smooth and agile line with secure tuning.’ 

Ursula is very committed to teaching the early horns and currently teaches at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Northern College of Music and Musikhögskolan I Malmö (Sweden) and frequently gives classes at other music colleges.