Breaking: Eminent conductor fractures skull in bike crash

Breaking: Eminent conductor fractures skull in bike crash

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norman lebrecht

March 06, 2018

We hear from friends (and on social media) that Stephen Cleobury, director of choir at Kings College Cambridge, is in hospital after a collision with a bicycle in the town.

We send him wishes for a speedy recovery.

Services and concerts at Kings are being continued by colleagues.

Stephen, who is 69, will step down from his post after 37 years in October 2019.

 

UPDATE:

The Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, Professor Mike Proctor, has confirmed the reports that Stephen Cleobury is currently recovering from an accident.

“Our warmest thoughts are with Stephen and his family and we wish him a speedy return to full health. We know he is keen to be back with us and look forward to his return when his recovery is complete.”

2nd UPDATE: Stephen says he is on the mend.

Comments

  • Kingsman says:

    Where exactly on social media? Did ‘friends’ really tell you? Your report of his condition is inaccurate and should be change immediately.

    • norman lebrecht says:

      I have been informed separately by three friends and checked the information this afternoon with his office. So you know better?

    • Una says:

      How do you see it then? What is the accurate news if you know Norman’s infornatiin is inaccurate rather than just say it’s inaccurate. It is someone’s life.. Stephen had a been a friend for many years and for whom I sang as a soloist. I’d be very keen to know what is accurate news about him so I can write to the family and not make a mistake. Very worrying.

      • Janet says:

        The Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, Professor Mike Proctor, has confirmed the reports that Stephen Cleobury is currently recovering from an accident.

        “Our warmest thoughts are with Stephen and his family and we wish him a speedy return to full health. We know he is keen to be back with us and look forward to his return when his recovery is complete.”

    • Bruce says:

      Kingsman — on the off chance that you’re not a troll, you might be interested to know that people admitted to the hospital after coming in through the emergency dept often go to ICU first. Mr. Cleobury may be out of intensive care by now (that would be great), but he may well have been in ICU when NL was told about it.

      Meanwhile, please enlighten the rest of us with what you know to be true, since you have already enlightened us with what you know to be false.

  • John Borstlap says:

    Bikes in Cambridge are a great risk for both the locals and academia.

    Sometimes the wild vehicles were augmented by variants: in my Cambridge days the brilliant but rather grumpy Dr Puffet of the Music Faculty, a severe invalid, raced through town in a dangerously motorized wheel chair, clouds of dust in its wake.

  • Katie Schaffer says:

    My best wishes to a most talented musician.

  • Alice says:

    It’s not the bicycles that cause the risk, by-and-large: it’s the buses and taxis racing through narrow streets where people are walking and cycling. Keeping traffic out of the centre would prevent a lot of accidents and make Cambridge a lot safer.
    http://www.smartertransport.uk/plan/

    • Wurtfangler says:

      What would also make it safer is cyclists following the same rules of the road. I have lost count of the number of times I have almost been run down in Cambridge by a cyclist thinking the red lights don’t apply to them! Or that the pavements are there to be ridden on when they don’t want to use the road. To be clear, I am not suggesting this was the case with Stephen Cleobury.

  • Carmen Helena Tellez says:

    Thank you for letting us know. Stephen Cleobury is a great artist and a true gentleman. He visited the University of Notre Dame for a masterclass, and he left an deep impression of musical vision and generosity. We will be praying for his full recovery.

  • Patrick and Jenny Sellar says:

    Every best from Maidstone and Canterbury where we last knew you. Sorry to read about your accident, but glad to hear you are on the mend. Take care now, music needs you back at the helm. God bless from Patrick and Jenny Sellar

  • Jamie says:

    I hope Maestro Cleobury makes a successful recovery…

  • Lindsay George Eaglesham says:

    Dear Stephen Cleobury. Though I don’t know you personally, I feel I know you because of my lifelong love of King’s College Choir, and my admiration for your wonderful work at its helm over these many years. We have exchanged a few emails only, but I am very upset on hearing of your injury.
    Please get well, I am praying for your full recovery.

  • Elliott Smith says:

    Maestro Cleobury, I was so sorry to hear about your accident. I hope that you are recovering well! You worked with me on my recital preparation at the University of Notre Dame last April. I was so grateful for your guidance and inspiration! Continue to get better!

  • Geoff Crawford says:

    Hello Mr Cleobury,
    I have just been listening to Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, broadcast live on Radio 3. What a fabulous sound from both choir and venue. You should be very proud of tonight’s performance as it amply demonstrates your influence on the many individuals that have been fortunate to have worked under your guidance. It is therefore, very fitting that tonight’s live concert was dedicated to you.
    Wishing you a speedy recovery.
    Geoff Crawford, North Wales

  • Patricia Yeiser says:

    The cyclists at Cambridge are a well-known hazard. And the flat Fenland just makes it easier for them to race about ad libitum and presto. It’s a shame Mr Cleobury was one of their targets. Cycling twits!

    • PGTips says:

      What a helpful contribution, Ms Yeiser. Thank you very much. Perhaps the authorities will consider unflattening the terrain in Fenland.

  • Roger Firth says:

    I am extremely saddened to here this morning that Sir Stephen Cleobury has passed away.

    His Illness and passing is a great loss to The Church Music World. his command of Kings College Choir was exceptional.

    I well remember his recital at Stonyhurst College following the restoration of the Wills organ and enlargement to 4 Manuels, i it was inspirational and I could have listened to it again.

    Rest in peace Sir,

    Roger Firth.
    Stalybridge

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