14 Facts About Philip Ledger

Sir Philip Stevens Ledger, CBE, FRSE was an English classical musician, choirmaster and academic, best remembered as Director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge from 1974 to 1982 and of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 until he retired in 2001.

Philip Ledger composed choral music and played the organ, piano and harpsichord.

In 1968, Philip Ledger became an artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, often conducting at the Snape Maltings, including the opening concert after its rebuilding and some first performances of works by Britten.

Philip Ledger worked regularly with the English Chamber Orchestra during this period.

Philip Ledger 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.

Philip Ledger then became principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 to 2001.

Philip Ledger married the soprano Mary Erryl Wells in 1963, with Robert Tear as best man at the wedding.

Philip Ledger was noted for compositions and arrangements, especially for choir.

Philip Ledger composed an Easter cantata with carols entitled The Risen Christ, premiered in the US at Washington National Cathedral on 7 May 2011 and in the UK at evensong in Canterbury Cathedral on 8 May 2011.

In 2012, Philip Ledger composed a further cantata, This Holy Child, which was first performed on 16 December 2012 at a morning church service at First Presbyterian Church, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Philip Ledger was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1985 New Year Honours, and knighted in the 1999 Birthday Honours for services to music.

Philip Ledger received honorary doctorates from the universities of Strathclyde, Central England, Glasgow and St Andrews, and from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Philip Ledger was awarded a fellowship by the Royal Northern College of Music in 1989.

Philip Ledger was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.