Lauded British composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has sadly passed away aged 81 at his home in Orkney.
The former Master of the Queen’s Music enjoyed a career spanning five decades across a broad range of styles, from musical theatre and ballet to full orchestral pieces.
The Salford-born musician was admired for his provocative approach to composition, often exploring avant-garde techniques across more than 300 pieces.
His celebrated work, including his most famous – Farewell to Stromness for solo piano – led him to be dubbed ‘one of the country’s greatest living composers’ (The Guardian) and ‘a master symphonist’ (Daily Telegraph).
Last month, he was named as the latest recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Gold Medal.
He became the 102nd recipient since the medal was founded in 1870 in celebration of the centenary of the birth of Beethoven (London’s Philharmonic Society commissioned Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and enjoyed a close association with the composer).
The medal was presented to him at his home by RPS council member, Sally Groves MBE.
He was previously appointed Master of the Queen's Music from 2004 to 2014, writing many works for the Queen and for royal occasions.
He was knighted in 1987 and made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the New Year 2014 Honours List.
Peter’s most recent work was an opera for children called The Hogboon, which will be premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra on 26 June.
The former Master of the Queen’s Music enjoyed a career spanning five decades across a broad range of styles, from musical theatre and ballet to full orchestral pieces.
The Salford-born musician was admired for his provocative approach to composition, often exploring avant-garde techniques across more than 300 pieces.
His celebrated work, including his most famous – Farewell to Stromness for solo piano – led him to be dubbed ‘one of the country’s greatest living composers’ (The Guardian) and ‘a master symphonist’ (Daily Telegraph).
Last month, he was named as the latest recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Gold Medal.
He became the 102nd recipient since the medal was founded in 1870 in celebration of the centenary of the birth of Beethoven (London’s Philharmonic Society commissioned Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and enjoyed a close association with the composer).
The medal was presented to him at his home by RPS council member, Sally Groves MBE.
He was previously appointed Master of the Queen's Music from 2004 to 2014, writing many works for the Queen and for royal occasions.
He was knighted in 1987 and made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the New Year 2014 Honours List.
Peter’s most recent work was an opera for children called The Hogboon, which will be premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra on 26 June.
