Sir Philip Ledger CBE

[Wolsey]

Sir Philip Ledger has died, following a long battle with cancer. He was 74.

[Mary Chambers]

That is sad to hear. A legendary name to me.

[ardcarp]

I think he and Brian Runnett were the 'orchestra' in a live broadcast of Christmas Oratorio conducted by Britten after a M.U. strike,

[Curalach]

Only this morning I was at a meeting in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the room which used to be his office. He had the same illness as my late wife. He leaves a great musical legacy and will be sadly missed.

[Finzi4ever]

I do hope the Beeb will acknowledge this sad event by playing some fine recordings from his King's days. Which ones would fellow boarders recommend to be dug out again?

[Nick Armstrong]

A great figure. He was still in charge of King's when I arrived at University.

The recording of his which has meant most to me over the years, and which is sadly appropriate now, is the Duruflé Requiem.

I'd also nominate Lotti's 'Crucifixus' (in fact anything from that marvellous 'Music for Holy Week' record) and Britten's 'Rejoice in the Lamb'

[BBMmk2]

What such sad news! Another great loss to the music world! RIP

[Keraulophone]

Which ones would fellow boarders recommend to be dug out again?

Elgar Coronation Ode - a spectacular and thrilling performance in King's chapel for EMI, Feb 1977. Lott / Hodgson / Morton / Roberts / Cambridge University Musical Society / Choir of Kings College Cambridge / Band of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall (c/w I Was Glad).

[Nick Armstrong]

Elgar Coronation Ode - a spectacular and thrilling performance in King's chapel for EMI, Feb 1977. Lott / Hodgson / Morton / Roberts / Cambridge University Musical Society / Choir of Kings College Cambridge / Band of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall (c/w I Was Glad).

[EdgeleyRob]

Very sad news. RIP.

Britten - Rejoice in the Lamb.

[mercia]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/9688940/Sir-Philip-Ledger.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/nov/20/sir-philip-ledger

[VodkaDilc]

Elgar Coronation Ode - a spectacular and thrilling performance in King's chapel for EMI, Feb 1977. Lott / Hodgson / Morton / Roberts / Cambridge University Musical Society / Choir of Kings College Cambridge / Band of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall (c/w I Was Glad).

A great performance - and a favourite from my days of lurking in hi-fi shops. It was (and still is) a great test disc for hi-fi equipment.

The Ledger Christmas Oratorio is a favourite too; perhaps not a style which is current today, but the soloists - Ameling, Baker, Tear, Fischer-Dieskau - take some beating.

(And perhaps, having had an extra dose of Willcocks last year, we might hear some of Ledger's excellent descants on Christmas Eve.)

[Triforium]

Which ones would fellow boarders recommend to be dug out again?

Purcell - Funeral Music for Queen Mary

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That descant for Once in Royal, that he introduced on succeeding Sir David Willcocks at King's - Nothing can touch it, in my opinion.

[Contre Bombarde]

Elgar Coronation Ode - a spectacular and thrilling performance in King's chapel for EMI, Feb 1977. Lott / Hodgson / Morton / Roberts / Cambridge University Musical Society / Choir of Kings College Cambridge / Band of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall (c/w I Was Glad).

Very sad news. A great musician who inspired a generation of choristers and organ scholars.

This gets my vote too. Both my parents were in CUMS and feature on this recording - Father can just be made out,with a magnifying glass, on the cover if one knows where to look. They were very upset when I 'phoned them last night.