I’ve been to York many times and I have a definite affinity with the city. Although I’ve been to concerts in the Chapter House and in the Minster itself, this was the first time I’ve had the pleasure of performing in York Minster.



I played in a performance of Handel’s Israel In Egypt, on Wednesday 11th March 2020, with the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists and the University of York Choir which was directed from the harpsichord by Peter Seymour.



Niels Tilma and I played the trumpet parts. We remarked that the content of this oratorio was particularly topical, given current affairs of hailstorms, floods, turbulent seas (in No.14 - featuring Rosie Toll on timpani) and plagues (coronavirus)!

The gentlemen of the orchestra got changed in the impressive Zouche Chapel in York Minster, surrounded by medieval stained glass and the impressive carvings and lead work of St Peter's Well.



It was great to perform in York Minster, and one of my old friends from the Isle of Man (a trumpet player in the Manx Youth Orchestra too) was singing in the choir. He posted a photograph taken just before the second part of the performance: