PRS for Music has shared a new list of the most-performed compositions by Errollyn Wallen CBE to celebrate her appointment as Master of the King's Music.
The Belize-born British composer, pianist and singer-songwriter has been appointed to the prestigious role by King Charles, succeeding Dame Judith Weir DBE.
The Master of The King’s Music is an honorary appointment 'conferred on a musician of distinction who has added to the musical life of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth'. While the role has no fixed duties, the Master will have the opportunity to compose pieces for special Royal occasions such as Royal Weddings, Jubilees and Coronations.
In a statement about her appointment, Errollyn said: 'I am thrilled to accept this royal appointment. It will be a privilege and a great honour to serve His Majesty The King, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
‘I look forward to championing music and music-making for all.’
In honour of this historic appointment, PRS for Music is inviting music lovers to explore Errollyn’s extensive repertoire, which includes 22 operas and a wide array of orchestral, chamber and vocal works.
Compiled by using exclusive PRS data that uniquely collates public and live performances of music, as well as streams, downloads and TV and radio broadcasts, PRS’s newly published list of Wallen’s most-performed compositions highlights her prolific catalogue of classical and contemporary music.
The list includes Mighty River, which was commissioned to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and Principia and Spirit in Motion, two works which were written for the 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony.
You can see the full list of Errollyn’s most-performed works below.
- Mondrian (1992)
- Horseplay (1998)
- Dervish (2001)
- Peace on Earth (2006)
- Mighty River (2007)
- Photography (2007)
- Concerto Grosso (2008)
- Principia (2012)
- Spirit in Motion (2012)
- This Frame is Part of the Painting (2019)
PRS for Music’s two charitable arms have championed and supported Errollyn throughout her music career. She first received funding from PRS Foundation in 2004, and has since continued to be supported by the charity’s various initiatives including the New Music Biennial, Women Make Music, The Composers’ Fund, Open Fund and Resonate.
Errollyn also became a patron of the PRS Members’ Fund in 2021, and is set to perform during the fund's 90th anniversary celebration later this year.
Daniel Lewis, Classical Music Relationship Manager at PRS for Music, added: ‘Errollyn is a treasured member of the classical music community. As Master of the King’s Music, she succeeds Dame Judith Weir, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and former PRS President Sir Arthur Bliss.
'Previous holders of this post have demonstrated the enormous cultural value of classical music. Errollyn’s appointment will bring with it exciting new music and is certain to inspire audiences and generations of future composers.'
