Sir Philip Ledger

Composers

Biography

Born: December 12, 1937; Bexhill-On-Sea, England    Died: November 18, 2012  
From his teen years, Philip Ledger seemed destined to become one of England's leading organists; he did so, and quickly, but he also expanded his musical activities in several other directions. Early on, he was a prize-winning fellow of the Royal College of Organists in London, and was further trained at King's College, Cambridge, where he was an honors student. He became the youngest cathedral organist in England with his 1961 appointment as Read more master of music at Chelmsford Cathedral; he remained there until 1965, at which point he became director of music at the new University of East Anglia (until 1973). There, Ledger also served as dean of the School of Fine Arts and Music from 1968 to 1971. It was in 1968 that Ledger was also made an artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival, from which time he was deeply involved in Benjamin Britten's recordings of his own choral music. Around this time Ledger became ubiquitous in concert around London and on recordings, playing piano with the Melos Ensemble, harpsichord with chamber orchestras and ensembles (as both soloist and continuo player), and organ in recitals at Royal Festival Hall.

Ledger's prominence peaked with his work as music director of King's College, Cambridge (1974-1982), where he took over from David Willcocks and made an extensive series of choral recordings. He gave up King's to become principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, and became an honorary professor at the University of Glasgow in 1993. In 1985, he had added to his list of honors Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Ledger was especially highly regarded as a performer of early English music, on which his scholarly work has centered; Ledger edited the Oxford Book of English Madrigals and works of Byrd, Handel, and Purcell, most notably a performing edition of the latter's King Arthur. Read less
Browse 1-25 of 39 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    100 Best Organ Classics
    100 Best Organ Classics
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 332452 Release Date: 02/26/2013   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Jeremiah Clarke,  Dietrich Buxtehude,  Felix Mendelssohn  ... 
    Performer:  Nicolas Kynaston,  Nicholas Kynaston,  Noel Rawsthorne,  Lionel Rogg  ... 
    Conductor:  Michel Plasson,  Yehudi Menuhin,  Georges Prêtre
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Toulouse Capitole Orchestra,  Menuhin Festival Orchestra,  Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservato  ... 
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  • 2.
    Vivaldi, Etc: Bassoon Concertos / Smith, Ledger, English Co
    Vivaldi, Etc: Bassoon Concertos / Smith, Ledger, English Co
    Label: Regis   Catalog: 1169 Release Date: 01/29/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi,  Johann Wilhelm Hertel,  Henry Hargrave,  Johann Christian Bach
    Performer:  Daniel Smith,  Sir Philip Ledger
    Conductor:  Sir Philip Ledger
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  English Chamber Orchestra
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  • 3.
    Philips Original Jackets Collection [55-CD Set]
    Philips Original Jackets Collection [55-CD Set]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001767702 Release Date: 12/04/2012   Number of Discs: 55
    Composer:  Max Bruch,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Gioachino Rossini  ... 
    Performer:  Salvatore Accardo,  Elisabeth Unger,  Claudio Arrau,  Thomas Zehetmair  ... 
    Conductor:  Kurt Masur,  Bernard Haitink,  Frans Brüggen,  Simon Rattle  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra,  London Philharmonic Orchestra,  Beaux Arts Trio  ... 
    On sale! $169.98
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  • 4.
    The Best Wedding Music Ever!
    The Best Wedding Music Ever!
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 04106 Release Date: 09/18/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Johann Pachelbel,  George Frideric Handel,  Jeremiah Clarke  ... 
    Performer:  Frederic Bayco,  Ian Tracey,  Jane Parker-Smith,  Maurice André  ... 
    Conductor:  Andrew Parrott,  Eric Ericson,  George Fischer,  Riccardo Muti  ... 
    CD: $8.99
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  • 5.
    100 Best British Classics
    100 Best British Classics
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 27315 Release Date: 05/22/2012   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  George Frideric Handel,  Thomas Tallis,  John Goss,  Charles Villiers Stanford  ... 
    Performer:  Jacqueline Du Pré,  Hugh Bean,  Gerald Moore,  Dame Janet Baker  ... 
    Conductor:  Stephen Cleobury,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Sir David Willcocks,  Sir Adrian Boult  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of Ancient Music,  Cambridge King's College Choir,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields  ... 
    CD: $21.99
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  • 6.
    The Very Best Of English Song
    The Very Best Of English Song
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 80513 Release Date: 04/03/2012   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Ralph Vaughan Williams,  John Ireland,  Charles Hubert Parry,  Roger Quilter  ... 
    Performer:  Dame Janet Baker,  Gerald Moore,  Thomas Allen,  Geoffrey Parsons  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Sir John Barbirolli,  Simon Rattle,  Steuart Bedford  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  Fretwork,  London Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 7.
    Essential Schubert
    Essential Schubert
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 78158 Release Date: 02/07/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Franz Schubert
    Performer:  Anneliese Rothenberger,  Gerald Moore,  Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau,  Laszlo Varga  ... 
    Conductor:  Riccardo Muti,  Yehudi Menuhin,  Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden,  Robert Heger  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Melos Ensemble London,  Chilingirian String Quartet
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  • 8.
    Best Schubert 100
    Best Schubert 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 80429 Release Date: 11/01/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Franz Schubert
    Performer:  Elmar Schloter,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Alfredo Dallapozza,  Lucia Popp  ... 
    Conductor:  Riccardo Muti,  Sir Thomas Beecham,  Herbert von Karajan,  Yehudi Menuhin  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
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  • 9.
    British Composers - Guide To Britain
    British Composers - Guide To Britain
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 29001 Release Date: 08/23/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Sir Edward Elgar,  Percy Grainger,  Gustav Holst,  Ralph Vaughan Williams  ... 
    Performer:  Daniel Adni,  Garth Benson,  Owen Brannigan,  Ernest Lush  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir John Barbirolli,  Norman Del Mar,  Boris Ord,  André Previn  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Polyphony (Vocal Ensemble),  Music Group of London
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  • 10.
    Ultimate Wedding Collection [emi Classics]
    Ultimate Wedding Collection [emi Classics]
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 27203 Release Date: 05/17/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Claude Debussy,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  George Frideric Handel  ... 
    Performer:  Noel Rawsthorne,  David Reichenberg,  Markus Klinko,  Ian Brown  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Andrew Parrott,  Reginald Kilbey,  Stephen Cleobury  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Taverner Players,  Nash Ensemble
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  • 11.
    Best Hymns 50
    Best Hymns 50
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 48472 Release Date: 04/19/2011   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  John Goss,  Gaelic Traditional,  Ralph Vaughan Williams,  Martin Luther  ... 
    Performer:  Stephen Cleobury,  Thomas Williamson,  Sioned Williams,  Benjamin Bayl  ... 
    Conductor:  Stephen Cleobury,  Sir David Willcocks,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Philip Moore  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Wallace Collection (Brass Ensemble)
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  • 12.
    Best Wedding 50
    Best Wedding 50
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 48501 Release Date: 04/19/2011   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Jeremiah Clarke,  Richard Wagner,  Giovanni Battist Martini,  Norwegian Traditional  ... 
    Performer:  Maurice André,  Jane Parker-Smith,  Frederic Bayco,  Wayne Marshall  ... 
    Conductor:  Stephen Cleobury,  Sir David Willcocks,  Kenneth Montgomery,  Herbert von Karajan  ... 
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  • 13.
    Best Hymns 100
    Best Hymns 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 97563 Release Date: 03/29/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Traditional,  Martin Luther,  William Henry Harris,  Edward Bairstow  ... 
    Performer:  Tom Williamson,  Sioned Williams,  Benjamin Bayl,  Thomas Bullard  ... 
    Conductor:  Stephen Cleobury,  Sir David Willcocks,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Philip Moore  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cambridge King's College Choir,  The Wallace Collection
    CD: $18.99
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  • 14.
    Essential Wedding
    Essential Wedding
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 27937 Release Date: 08/24/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Claude Debussy,  Dmitri Shostakovich,  Camille Saint-Saëns  ... 
    Performer:  Noel Rawsthorne,  David Reichenberg,  Markus Klinko,  Tasmin Little  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Andrew Parrott,  Reginald Kilbey,  Stephen Cleobury  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Taverner Players,  Nash Ensemble,  Camerata Lysy  ... 
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  • 15.
    Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock / Ian Partridge
    Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock / Ian Partridge
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 68939 Release Date: 10/06/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Ralph Vaughan Williams,  Peter Warlock
    Performer:  Ian Partridge,  David Parkhouse,  Christopher Wellington,  Eileen Croxford  ... 
    Conductor:  Neville Dilkes,  Sir David Wilcocks
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Music Group of London
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  • 16.
    Best Wedding 100
    Best Wedding 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 64262 Release Date: 06/16/2009   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  George Frideric Handel,  Claude Debussy,  Camille Saint-Saëns  ... 
    Performer:  Markus Klinko,  Ian Brown,  Christopher van Kampen,  Susan Tomes  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Reginald Kilbey,  Sir John Barbirolli,  Stephen Cleobury  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Nash Ensemble,  Vienna String Sextet Members,  Ensemble Berlin  ... 
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  • 17.
    Flute Adagios
    Flute Adagios
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001280202 Release Date: 04/14/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Albert Roussel,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Jacques Ibert,  Johann Sebastian Bach  ... 
    Performer:  Michael Grandt,  Irena Grafenauer,  William Bennett,  Timothy Hutchins  ... 
    Conductor:  Charles Dutoit,  Sir Neville Marriner,  Benjamin Britten,  Karl Münchinger  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Grumiaux Trio,  Montreal Symphony Orchestra,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields  ... 
    CD: $16.99
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  • 18.
    Gemini - Martin: Mass For Double Chorus, Polyptique, Ballades / Ericson, Menuhin, Bream, Et Al
    Gemini - Martin: Mass For Double Chorus, Polyptique, Ballades / Ericson, Menuhin, Bream, Et Al
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 64344 Release Date: 03/24/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Frank Martin
    Performer:  Sir Philip Ledger,  Simon Preston,  Osian Ellis,  Yehudi Menuhin  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Edmond de Stoutz,  Kent Nagano,  Eric Ericson
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  Zurich Chamber Orchestra,  Menuhin Festival Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $13.99
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  • 19.
    British Composers - Vaughan Williams: Folksong Arrangements For Voice & Piano / Tear, Ledger, Et Al
    British Composers - Vaughan Williams: Folksong Arrangements For Voice & Piano / Tear, Ledger, Et Al
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 16156 Release Date: 07/22/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Traditional,  Ralph Vaughan Williams,  Anonymous
    Performer:  Robert Tear,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Hugh Bean,  Daphne Ibbott  ... 
    CD: $8.99
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  • 20.
    Vaughan Williams - The Collector's Edition
    Vaughan Williams - The Collector's Edition
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 06636 Release Date: 07/08/2008   Number of Discs: 30
    Composer:  Ralph Vaughan Williams,  Anonymous,  Traditional,  Henry Walford Davies
    Performer:  Norma Burrowes,  Ian Partridge,  John Shirley-Quirk,  Raimund Herincx  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Adrian Boult,  Meredith Davies,  Sir Charles Groves,  Sir David Willcocks  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Philharmonic Orchestra,  London Philharmonic Choir,  New Philharmonia Orchestra  ... 
    Recommendation
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    CD: $49.99
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  • 21.
    Bach: Brandenburg Concertos; The 1953 Aldburgh Festival Opening Concert / Britten
    Bach: Brandenburg Concertos; The 1953 Aldburgh Festival Opening Concert / Britten
    Label: Eloquence   Catalog: 4429521 Release Date: 02/11/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Various,  Thomas Augustine Arne
    Performer:  Anthony Randall,  Peter Graeme,  Ifor James,  Emanuel Hurwitz  ... 
    Conductor:  Benjamin Britten,  Imogen Holst
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  English Chamber Orchestra,  Aldeburgh Festival Orchestra,  Aldeburgh Festival Chorus
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  • 22.
    A Festival Of Lessons And Carols From King's
    A Festival Of Lessons And Carols From King's
    Label: Emi Studio   Catalog: 63180 Release Date: 09/17/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  William Mathias,  Traditional,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Felix Mendelssohn  ... 
    Performer:  Thomas Trotter,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Charles Daniels,  Jason McCaldin
    Conductor:  Sir Philip Ledger
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cambridge King's College Choir
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  • 23.
    Carols From King's College Cambridge [emi]
    Carols From King's College Cambridge [emi]
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 56537 Release Date: 07/13/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Henry John Gauntlett,  Traditional,  Boris Ord,  Henry Walford Davies  ... 
    Performer:  Sir David Willcocks,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
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  • 24.
    Best Sacred Works 100
    Best Sacred Works 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 89227 Release Date: 04/03/2007   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Anonymous,  Gregorio Allegri,  John Dunstable,  Thomas Tallis  ... 
    Performer:  Gerald Finley,  Timothy Beasley-Murray,  Barry Rose,  Alan Wilson  ... 
    Conductor:  Stephen Cleobury,  Paul Hillier,  Sir Philip Ledger,  David Wulstan  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Monks of Downside Abbey,  Cambridge King's College Choir,  Hilliard Ensemble  ... 
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  • 25.
    Choral Favourites From King's / Ledger, Willcocks, Et Al
    Choral Favourites From King's / Ledger, Willcocks, Et Al
    Label: Emi Classics For Pleasure   Catalog: 75943 Release Date: 01/23/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gregorio Allegri,  Sir Edward Elgar,  John Bacchus Dykes,  Charles Wood  ... 
    Performer:  Ian Hare,  Osian Ellis,  Stephen Layton,  Sir Philip Ledger
    Conductor:  Stephen Cleobury,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Sir David Willcocks
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cambridge King's College Choir,  New Philharmonia Orchestra,  Royal Military School of Music Band  ... 
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