Handel - Messiah - Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

9 December 2024, 22:00

Following my return flight to the UK from Frankfurt (having performed at the Alte Oper yesterday), I travelled directly to Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford to play first trumpet in Handel’s Messiah. This performance, on Monday 9 December 2024, was directed by Peter Holder and featured Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Frideswide Voices, The Wolsey Ensemble, and the soloists Harriet Burns (soprano), Katie Bray (mezzo), Nick Pritchard (tenor), and Thomas Humphreys (baritone); I performed ‘The Trumpet Shall Sound’ with the latter.

This was my final Messiah performance of the year. Christ Church Cathedral was looking very festive, and it was also great to see my old friend (and fellow Royal College of Music alumni) Richard Moore, who was playing the chamber organ and harpsichord as part of his role as Sub-Organist at Christ Church.

The combined choirs sounded excellent and many of the young choristers who also happen to play brass instruments asked me how I can play so many different notes without using valves. I gave them a brief and simple answer, but it was very reassuring to know that copies of my book, ‘Just’ Natural Trumpet, are preserved in both the Christ Church Library and the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford.

Russell Gilmour

writing on music, photography, engraving, travel and life as a freelance professional musician.

Russell Gilmour's innovative new book, 'Just' Natural Trumpet, is now available: please click here for more information.