Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

United Kingdom

Genre

:

Choral

 

The Men of King's College Choir, Cambridge is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their exceptional performances for over a century. The choir is made up of male choristers and choral scholars from King's College, Cambridge, and is known for its distinctive sound and impeccable musicianship. The choir was founded in 1441, when King Henry VI established King's College as a place of worship and learning. The choir was initially made up of 16 choristers, who were responsible for singing daily services in the college chapel. Over the years, the choir grew in size and reputation, and by the 19th century, it had become one of the most prestigious choirs in the world. One of the highlights of the choir's early history was the appointment of Arthur Henry Mann as the organist and choirmaster in 1876. Mann was a gifted musician and composer, and under his leadership, the choir's reputation soared. He introduced a number of innovations, including the use of boy trebles in the choir, which gave the choir its distinctive sound. In the early 20th century, the choir continued to flourish under the leadership of Boris Ord, who was appointed as the organist and choirmaster in 1929. Ord was a talented musician and conductor, and he introduced a number of new works to the choir's repertoire, including pieces by contemporary composers such as Benjamin Britten and William Walton. One of the choir's most famous performances took place in 1918, when they sang at the funeral of Sir Hubert Parry, the composer of "Jerusalem" and "I Was Glad". The choir's rendition of Parry's "Blest Pair of Sirens" was particularly moving, and it helped to establish the choir's reputation as one of the finest in the world. In the years that followed, the choir continued to perform at a high level, and they became known for their annual Christmas Eve service, which is broadcast live on BBC Radio. The service features a mix of traditional carols and contemporary works, and it has become a beloved holiday tradition for millions of listeners around the world. In 1957, the choir made their first international tour, which took them to the United States and Canada. The tour was a great success, and it helped to establish the choir's reputation as a world-class ensemble. Since then, the choir has toured extensively, performing in countries such as Australia, Japan, and South Africa. In 1963, the choir recorded their first album, which featured a selection of Christmas carols and other sacred works. The album was a commercial success, and it helped to introduce the choir's music to a wider audience. Since then, the choir has recorded dozens of albums, including several that have won prestigious awards such as the Gramophone Award and the Classical Brit Award. One of the choir's most memorable performances took place in 1981, when they sang at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The choir's rendition of "I Was Glad" was particularly stirring, and it helped to cement the choir's reputation as one of the finest in the world. In recent years, the choir has continued to perform at a high level, and they have collaborated with a number of contemporary composers, including John Rutter and James MacMillan. They have also continued to tour extensively, performing in venues such as the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall.

More....