Malcolm Williamson 1931 - 2003

Master of the Queen's Music since 1975 * At age 11 went to Sydney Conservatorium for instrumental tuition, later studying composition with Eugene Goossens * In 1950 studied in London with Elizabeth Lutyens and Erwin Stein, and settled in England in 1953 * Benjamin Britten and Adrian Boult became friends and encouraged performances and publication of his music * 1950s culminated in Elevamini, combining diverse influences of serialism, Stravinsky, Messiaen and the British tradition * Lighter vein developed in Piano Concertos Nos.1 and 2 * In 1960s Malcolm Williamson composed and directed music for the theatre, including Our Man in Havana after Graham Greene for Sadler's Wells Opera and English Eccentrics after Edith Sitwell * Fascination with mystical contemplation found expression in Hammarskjöld Portrait, premiered at the BBC Proms in 1974 with Elisabeth Söderström as soloist * Output includes 7 symphonies, 7 concertos, chamber music, and choral works including Vision of Christ-Phoenix

Works by Malcolm Williamson include:
Elevamini (Symphony No.1) (1956-57) for orchestra
Santiago de Espada (1957) Overture for orchestra
Piano Concerto No.2 (1960) for piano and string orchestra
Hammarskjöld Portrait (1974) for soprano and strings

"A large and widely-ranging body of work, most of it notable for an immense flair and facility, and much of it for its sheer attractiveness." — Hi-Fi News & Record Review