Philip Ledger
Sir Philip Stevens Ledger, CBE (12 December 1937 – 18 November 2012) was a British classical musician and academic, best known for his tenure as director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, between 1974 and 1982 and as director of Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 until his retirement in 2001. He was also a composer of choral music and an organist.
Life
Ledger was born in Bexhill-on-Sea in 1937 and educated at King's College, Cambridge. His appointment as master of the music at Chelmsford Cathedral in 1961 made him the youngest cathedral organist in the country. In 1965 he took up the directorate of music at the University of East Anglia, where he was also dean of the School of Fine Arts and Music and responsible for the establishment of an award-winning building for the University’s Music Centre, opened in 1973.
In 1968, Ledger became an artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, conducting at the Snape Maltings on many occasions including the opening concert after its rebuilding, and playing in first performances of works by Britten. He worked regularly with the English Chamber Orchestra during this period. He was director of music at King's College, Cambridge from 1974 to 1982, and conductor of the Cambridge University Musical Society from 1973 to 1982. During his years in Cambridge, he directed the Choir of King’s College in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, made an extensive range of recordings and took the choir to the United States, Australia, and Japan for the first time. Ledger was subsequently principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 to 2001.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a Christmas carol that first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, having been written by Charles Wesley. Wesley had requested and received slow and solemn music for his lyrics, not the joyful tune expected today. Moreover, Wesley's original opening couplet is "Hark! how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings".
The popular version is the result of alterations by various hands, notably by Wesley's co-worker George Whitefield who changed the opening couplet to the familiar one, and by Felix Mendelssohn. In 1840, a hundred years after the publication of Hymns and Sacred Poems, Mendelssohn composed a cantata to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press, and it is music from this cantata, adapted by the English musician William H. Cummings to fit the lyrics of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, that propels the carol known today.
Textual history
The original hymn was composed as a "Hymn for Christmas-Day" by Charles Wesley, included in the 1739 John Wesley collection Hymns and Sacred Poems. Wesley's original hymn began with the opening line "Hark how all the Welkin rings." This was changed to the familiar "Hark! the Herald Angels sing" by George Whitefield in his 1754 Collection of hymns for social worship. A second change was made in the 1782 publication of the Tate and Brady New version of the Psalms of David.
Podcasts:
Sir Philip Ledger
ALBUMS
- A Festival of Lessons & Carols from King's released: 1996
- Three Bassoon Concerti released: 1987
- Concerti for Bassoon and Orchestra, Volume 1 released: 1986
- Organ Voluntaries from King's College released: 1982
- Songs for Sunday released: 1981
- Cello Concertos released: 1981
- Baroque Bassoon Concertos released:
- Orchestral Suites Nos. 1-3 released:
A Festival of Lessons & Carols from King's
Released 1996- Once in Royal David's City
- Bidding Prayer
- Resonet in laudibus
- Genesis 3
- Adam lay ybounden
- Sussex Carol
- Isaiah 9
- Joseph and Mary
- St. Luke 1
- A Maiden Most Gentle
- St. Luke 2
- Stille Nacht!
- Chester Carol
- St. Luke 2
- Angels, From the Realms of Glory
- St. Matthew 2
- A Babe Is Born
- St. John 1
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Collect for Christmas Eve and the Blessing
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- In dulci jubilo, BWV 729
Three Bassoon Concerti
Released 1987- Concerto in C major for Bassoon & Strings, F.VIII:33: I. Allegro
- Concerto in C major for Bassoon & Strings, F.VIII:33: II. Larghetto
- Concerto in C major for Bassoon & Strings, F.VIII:33: III. Allegro
- Basson Concerto in G major: I. Allegro
- Basson Concerto in G major: II. Largo
- Basson Concerto in G major: III. Allegro
- Concerto in B-flat major: I. Allegro
- Concerto in B-flat major: II. Adagio
- Concerto in B-flat major: III. Presto
Concerti for Bassoon and Orchestra, Volume 1
Released 1986- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 18 in C major, RV 467: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 18 in C major, RV 467: II. Andante
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 18 in C major, RV 467: III. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 25 in F major, RV 491: I. Allegro molto
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 25 in F major, RV 491: II. Largo
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 25 in F major, RV 491: III. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 10 in A minor, RV 500: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 10 in A minor, RV 500: II. Largo
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 10 in A minor, RV 500: III. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 12 in A minor, RV 499: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 12 in A minor, RV 499: II. Largo
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 12 in A minor, RV 499: III. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 28 in C major, RV 466: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 28 in C major, RV 466: II. Largo
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 28 in C major, RV 466: III. Allegro
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 22 in F major, RV 486: I. Allegro con moto
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 22 in F major, RV 486: II. Largo
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra no. 22 in F major, RV 486: III. Allegro
Organ Voluntaries from King's College
Released 1982- The Prince of Denmark's March
- Variations on "Mein Junges Leben hat ein End"
- Voluntary in D
- Three Chorale Preludes: Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimmer, BWV 645
- Three Chorale Preludes: Wenn wir in Hoechsten Noethen sein, BWV 641
- Three Chorale Preludes: In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 729
- Chorale Prelude: Schmuecke dich, O Liebe Seele, Op 122
- Marche triomphale: Now thank we all our God, Op 65
- Folk Tune
- Paean
- Postlude, Op 101 Set 1 No. 2
- Litanies
- Chant de May
- Toccata: Placare Christe Servulis
Cello Concertos
Released 1981- Concerto for Cello in C major, RV 400: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Cello in C major, RV 400: II. Largo
- Concerto for Cello in C major, RV 400: III. Allegro non molto
- Concerto for Cello in B minor, RV 424: I. Allegro non molto
- Concerto for Cello in B minor, RV 424: II. Largo
- Concerto for Cello in B minor, RV 424: III. Allegro
- Concerto for Cello in C minor, RV 401: I. Allegro non molto
- Concerto for Cello in C minor, RV 401: II. Adagio
- Concerto for Cello in C minor, RV 401: III. Allegro ma non molto
- Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV 531: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV 531: II. Largo
- Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV 531: III. Allegro
- Concerto for Violin and Two Cellos in C major, RV 561: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Violin and Two Cellos in C major, RV 561: II. Largo
- Concerto for Violin and Two Cellos in C major, RV 561: III. Allegro
Baroque Bassoon Concertos
- Concerto in B-flat: I. Con spirito
- Concerto in B-flat: II. Allegro
- Concerto in B-flat: III. Siciliana
- Concerto in B-flat: IV. Minuet (allegro)
- Concerto in B-flat: V. Giavotta
- Concerto 26 in C, RV 479: I. Allegro
- Concerto 26 in C, RV 479: II. Largo
- Concerto 26 in C, RV 479: III. Allegro
- Concerto in A minor: I. Allegro con spirito
- Concerto in A minor: II. Grave
- Concerto in A minor: III. Allegro di molto
- Concerto in G with continuo: I. Allegro
- Concerto in G with continuo: II. Largo
- Concerto in G with continuo: III. Allegro
- Concerto in B-flat: I. Allegro
- Concerto in B-flat: II. Adagio
- Concerto in B-flat: III. Presto
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by Vanessa Williams
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by Cedarmont Kids
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by Dean Martin
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by Dustin Kensrue
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by South Park: Chef Aid, Mr. Hankey's Christmas Class
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by Marty Robbins
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by Neil Diamond
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by America
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by Choirboys
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by Steven Curtis Chapman
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by Amy Grant
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by Nat King Cole
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by Anne Murray
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by Mariah Carey
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by Christmas Carols
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by Busted
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by Annie Haslam
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by Julie Andrews
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by Corrinne May
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by Frank Sinatra
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by Ella Fitzgerald
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by Point Of Grace
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by Aled Jones
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by Mary Mary
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by Hillsong
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by Aretha Franklin
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by A Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack
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by Mormon Tabernacle Choir
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by Mario Lanza
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by Andy Williams
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by Rebecca St. James
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by Clay Aiken
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by Bill Anderson
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by Brian Wilson
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by Carrie Underwood
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by South Park
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by Jessica Simpson
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by Al Jarreau
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by Ray Price
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by Celtic Woman
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by Weihnachtslieder
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by Aaron Neville
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by Boys Choir Of Harlem
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by Mahalia Jackson
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by Michael W. Smith
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by Jeanette
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by Robin Gibb
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by Demis Roussos
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by Countdown Kids
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by TV Theme Songs
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by Jewel
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by Charlotte Church
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by Jeremy Camp
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by Kathy Mattea
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by Daniel O'donnell
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by Lincoln Brewster
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by Bob Dylan
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by Jim Brickman
Hark the herald angels sing
by: Vanessa WilliamsHark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Hail the heaven-born prince of peace
Hail the Son of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that Man, no more may die
Born to raise the sons of Earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King
Hark, can you hear the angels sing?
Glory to the new born King
Hark, can you hear what a glorious sound?
Hark the herald angels shout
Hark, can you hear the angels sing?
Glory to the new born King
Hark, can you hear what a glorious sound?
Hark the herald angels shout
Hark, can you hear the angels sing?
Glory to the new born King
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born
Glory to the new born
Glory to the new born King
Hark, can you hear the angels sing?
Glory to the new born King
Hark, can you hear what a glorious sound?
Hark the herald angels shout
Hark, can you hear the angels sing?
Glory to the new born King
Hark, can you hear what a glorious sound?
Hark the herald angels shout
Hark, can you hear the angels sing?
Glory to the new born King
Hark, can you hear what a glorious sound?
Hark the herald angels shout
Hark, can you hear the angels sing?