Peter Seymour studied at University of York, including post–graduate work researching into the performance of baroque music and, in July 1994, was awarded the degree of D Mus., for research into performing style. He is director of Yorkshire Baroque Soloists which he formed in 1973, Yorkshire Bach Choir, which he formed in 1979, and Corona Coloniensis, the specialist Early Music choir of West-Deutscher Runsfunk, and has worked and recorded in most European countries. He is also an artistic adviser to York Early Music Festival and Emeritus Professor in Music and Organist at the University of York. He records regularly both as conductor and keyboard player for WDR–Köln, BBC and other radio stations. As a keyboard player he appears playing harpsichord, organ or fortepiano with singers Yvonne Seymour, Bethany Seymour, Stephen Varcoe, Mhairi Lawson, Barbara Schlick, James Gilchrist, Charles Daniels, Joshua Ellicott, Roderick Williams, Peter Harvey and Matthew Brook as well as instrumentalists Crispian Steele-Perkins, Lucy Russell, Anthony Robson, and Pamela Thorby.

 

Conducting

He was conductor of University of York Chamber Choir (55 members) and University Choir (250 members). With YBC, YBS and the University choirs he has directed Purcell Dido & Aeneas in Köln; Haydn Creation; Monteverdi Vespers; Verdi Requiem; Handel Dixit Dominus, Laudate pueri, Messiah; Rossini Petite Messe solenelle; Bach St Matthew and St John Passions and Britten War Requiem. In recent seasons he has also conducted Haydn Creation; Handel Israel in Egypt; Vivaldi’s oratorio Juditha triumphans in Greece; Monteverdi Vespers in Beverley Early Music Festival. He also conducted Purcell Fairy Queen with Yorkshire Baroque Soloists; Bach Magnificat, Cantata 140 and CPE Bach Magnificat and Bach B minor Mass with YBC and YBS. In the 2017 York Early Music Festival he directed Bach ­St Matthew Passion with YBS in a dramatic performance directed by Tom Guthrie. In September he directed Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas at Knechtsteden Festival Alte Musik with Bethany Seymour and James Gilchrist. In the 2017/18 season he conducted Orff Carmina Burana, Lambert Rio Grande; Britten War Requiem; Mozart Requiem; Haydn Maria Theresa Mass; Rossini Petite Messe solenelle; Bach Ascension and Easter Oratorios; Handel Ode for St Cecilia’s Day and Chandos Anthem ‘O sing unto the Lord’. In July 2018 he directed a programme music from the 30 Years’ War by Heinrich Schütz.

 

Recording

In September 2013 he recorded his new edition of Bach’s early version of St Matthew Passion for Signum Records. This was released in February 2015 and joins the collection of Bach recordings which include St John Passion and B minor Mass, also for Signum Records. With YBC he has also made commercial recordings of Bach Motets; A Festal Mass at the Imperial Court in Vienna 1648; Mozart Requiem; Monteverdi Vespers; Motets of the Bach Family; Victoria Psalms and Motets.