Role

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Composer Conductor

Birth

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November 25, 1975

 

Paul Mealor is a Welsh composer who has gained international recognition for his choral music. Born on November 25, 1975, in St. Asaph, North Wales, Mealor grew up in a musical family. His mother was a music teacher, and his father was a church organist. Mealor began playing the piano at the age of four and started composing music when he was just eight years old. Mealor studied music at the University of York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1997. He then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received a Master of Music degree in 2000. During his time at the Royal Academy of Music, Mealor studied with renowned composers such as John Tavener and Simon Bainbridge. Mealor's early works were primarily instrumental pieces, but he soon turned his attention to choral music. In 2001, he won the Gregynog Young Composer Award for his choral work "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal." This piece was later recorded by the choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, and became a hit on YouTube, receiving over a million views. In 2011, Mealor gained international recognition when his choral work "Ubi Caritas" was performed at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The piece was commissioned by the couple and was performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey. The performance was watched by millions of people around the world and helped to bring Mealor's music to a wider audience. Since then, Mealor has continued to compose choral music, and his works have been performed by some of the world's leading choirs, including the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge. His music has also been featured in major events such as the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. One of Mealor's most famous works is "The Shepherds' Cradle Song," which was commissioned by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, in 2012. The piece is a setting of a traditional Welsh carol and features a solo soprano voice accompanied by a choir and orchestra. The piece has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and has become a Christmas favorite. Another notable work by Mealor is "Stabat Mater," which was commissioned by the London Symphony Chorus and premiered in 2013. The piece is a setting of the medieval Latin hymn "Stabat Mater Dolorosa," which describes the suffering of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the foot of the cross. The work has been praised for its emotional depth and has been described as "a masterpiece of contemporary choral music." Mealor's music is known for its lush harmonies, soaring melodies, and emotional depth. He often draws inspiration from his Welsh heritage and incorporates elements of Welsh folk music into his compositions. His music has been described as "spiritual," "uplifting," and "transcendent." In addition to his work as a composer, Mealor is also a professor of composition at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He has received numerous awards and honors for his music, including the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music in 2012 and the British Composer Award for Choral Music in 2013. Overall, Paul Mealor is a talented composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of choral music. His works have touched the hearts of millions of people around the world and have helped to bring the beauty of choral music to a wider audience.

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