Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Philip Ledger has enjoyed a long and distinguished musical career. When appointed Master of the Music at Chelmsford Cathedral in 1962 he became the youngest cathedral organist in the United Kingdom. As Director of Music at the University of East Anglia he worked with Benjamin Britten as an artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival. In 1974 he returned to his old college, Kings in Cambridge as Director of Music where one of his responsibilities was conducting the world famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. He then became Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1982. A CBE followed in 1985 and a knighthood for services to music in 1999. This CD is the first one entirely devoted to his compositions and includes anthems, carols, and his most significant work to date, a Requiem subtitles "A Thanksgiving For Life". This combines Latin texts from the "Missa Pro Defunctis" and three works from the mystical English poet Thomas Traherne. Although grounded in church music this Requiem also includes operatic moments with some fine singing by the tenor Christopher Gillett and soprano Clare Lloyd. The carols are an interesting selection of old and new texts, going back to Adam Lay Ybounden from the 15th century on to "Advent Calendar", a charming piece with words by Rowan Williams. A personal favourite is a new setting of Christina Rossetti's "In The Bleak Midwinter". It takes a brave composer to write a new tune for an old favourite and a good composer to pull it off. Sir Philip has succeeded. Another new setting is for Washington Gladden's "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee". Like the Rossetti, I do not expect to sing this congregationally as the old tune is so well established but if the opportunity to sing this chorally arises I will be pleased to try. Ledger's music does this: it is a joy to hear and it sounds like it would be a pleasure to sing as well. This gets a very warm recommendation.

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