Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

December 12, 1937 in Bexhill-On-Sea, England

Death

:

November 18, 2012 in United Kingdom

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Philip Ledger was a renowned British classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music as a conductor, composer, and organist. He was born on December 12, 1937, in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a music teacher, which exposed him to music at an early age. Ledger began his musical education at the age of eight when he started taking piano lessons. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he won several awards, including the prestigious Chappell Gold Medal for piano performance. He also studied composition with Lennox Berkeley and conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. After completing his studies, Ledger began his career as a church organist, serving at several churches in London, including St. George's Church in Hanover Square and the Temple Church. He also worked as a music teacher at the Royal Academy of Music and the University of East Anglia. In 1974, Ledger was appointed the Master of Music at King's College, Cambridge, where he served for 16 years. During his tenure, he conducted the world-famous King's College Choir, which gained international recognition for its performances of traditional English choral music. He also commissioned several new works for the choir, including pieces by composers such as John Tavener and Arvo Pärt. One of Ledger's most significant achievements as a conductor was his performance of Handel's Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1979. The performance featured a choir of over 500 singers and was broadcast live on television, making it one of the most-watched classical music events in history. In addition to his work as a conductor, Ledger was also a prolific composer. He wrote several works for choir and organ, including his popular anthem "The Lord is My Shepherd," which has been performed by choirs around the world. Throughout his career, Ledger received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 1982, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of East Anglia and the University of Sussex. Ledger continued to work as a conductor and composer until his death on November 18, 2012, at the age of 74. His legacy lives on through his recordings, compositions, and the many musicians he inspired throughout his career.

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