Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

December 31, 1948 in Bromley, Kent, England

Death

:

November 22, 2019 in York, England

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

Stephen Cleobury was a renowned British conductor and organist, best known for his work as the Director of Music at King's College, Cambridge. Born on December 31, 1948, in Bromley, Kent, Cleobury showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the organ and became a chorister at Worcester Cathedral. Cleobury studied music at St John's College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar. After completing his studies, he worked as a music teacher at Westminster Abbey Choir School and later became the organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Cathedral. In 1982, he was appointed as the Director of Music at King's College, Cambridge, a position he held until his retirement in 2019. During his tenure at King's College, Cleobury was responsible for directing the famous King's College Choir, which is known for its annual Christmas Eve broadcast of Nine Lessons and Carols. He also oversaw the choir's recordings and tours, which helped to establish its reputation as one of the world's leading choral ensembles. Cleobury was also a prolific conductor, working with orchestras and choirs around the world. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, and he conducted many performances of Bach's choral works, including the St. Matthew Passion and the Mass in B Minor. In addition to his work as a conductor and organist, Cleobury was also a composer. He wrote several choral works, including anthems and hymns, and his music was performed by choirs around the world. Throughout his career, Cleobury received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1996, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music, and in 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Cambridge. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Music and a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music. One of Cleobury's most memorable performances was his final Nine Lessons and Carols service at King's College in 2018. The service was broadcast live on BBC Radio and was watched by millions of people around the world. In his final address, Cleobury thanked the choir and the congregation for their support over the years and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the Director of Music at King's College. Sadly, Cleobury passed away on November 22, 2019, at the age of 70. His death was mourned by the classical music community, and many musicians and fans paid tribute to his contributions to the world of music. His legacy lives on through his recordings, compositions, and the many musicians he inspired and mentored throughout his career.

More....