Boris Ord
Encyclopedia
Boris Ord born Bernhard Ord, was an English organist, composer and musical director best known as the choir master of King's College, Cambridge
.
Ord was born in Clifton, Bristol
to Clement and Hohanna Ord. He was educated at Clifton College
, later winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. He studied the organ under Sir Walter Parratt. In 1916 he served with the Artists' Rifles and then later as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps
.
In 1919 Ord became organ scholar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
. In 1929, Ord was appointed organist
and choirmaster of King's College, Cambridge
and also of the University. In 1941 Ord rejoined the air force as a flight lieutenant, during which time Harold Darke
was deputised as choirmaster. He returned to King's after the end of World War II
. In the 1950s he began to decrease his workload. In 1957-58 Sir David Willcocks
(also educated at Clifton College
) took over as organist.
His setting of Adam lay ybounden
, which is his only published piece of music, was once a fixture in the order of service of the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
at King's. It now occasionally alternates with the settings by Peter Warlock
and Philip Ledger
. A distinguished choir master, he was described by Sir David Willcocks
as the man who taught him everything he knows about training a choir.
Ord died at Cambridge in 1961 at the age of 64.
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
.
Ord was born in Clifton, Bristol
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton is a suburb of the City of Bristol in England, and the name of both one of the city's thirty-five council wards. The Clifton ward also includes the areas of Cliftonwood and Hotwells...
to Clement and Hohanna Ord. He was educated at Clifton College
Clifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
, later winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. He studied the organ under Sir Walter Parratt. In 1916 he served with the Artists' Rifles and then later as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
.
In 1919 Ord became organ scholar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is notable as the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople: it was established in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
. In 1929, Ord was appointed organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and choirmaster of King's College, Cambridge
Choir of King's College, Cambridge
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge is one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great British choral tradition. It was created by King Henry VI, who founded King's College, Cambridge in 1441, to provide daily singing in his Chapel, which remains the main task of the...
and also of the University. In 1941 Ord rejoined the air force as a flight lieutenant, during which time Harold Darke
Harold Darke
Dr Harold Edwin Darke was an English composer and organist.Darke was born in Highbury, London the youngest son of Samuel Darke & Arundel Bourne...
was deputised as choirmaster. He returned to King's after the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In the 1950s he began to decrease his workload. In 1957-58 Sir David Willcocks
Sir David Willcocks
Sir David Valentine Willcocks CBE MC is a British choral conductor, organist, and composer. His son, Jonathan Willcocks, is also a composer.- Biography :...
(also educated at Clifton College
Clifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
) took over as organist.
His setting of Adam lay ybounden
Adam Lay Ybounden
"Adam lay ybounden", originally titled Adam lay i-bowndyn is a 15th century macaronic English text of unknown authorship. The manuscript on which the poem is found, , is held by the British Library, who date the work to c.1400 and speculate that the lyrics may have belonged to a wandering minstrel;...
, which is his only published piece of music, was once a fixture in the order of service of the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Nine Lessons and Carols
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a format for a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas...
at King's. It now occasionally alternates with the settings by Peter Warlock
Peter Warlock
Peter Warlock was a pseudonym of Philip Arnold Heseltine , an Anglo-Welsh composer and music critic. He used the pseudonym when composing, and is now better known by this name....
and Philip Ledger
Philip Ledger
Sir Philip Ledger CBE is a British classical musician and academic. He is best-known for his tenure as director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge between 1973 and 1982 and as director of Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 until his retirement in 2001...
. A distinguished choir master, he was described by Sir David Willcocks
Sir David Willcocks
Sir David Valentine Willcocks CBE MC is a British choral conductor, organist, and composer. His son, Jonathan Willcocks, is also a composer.- Biography :...
as the man who taught him everything he knows about training a choir.
Ord died at Cambridge in 1961 at the age of 64.