Maxwell Davies is new Master of the Queen's Music
(March 2004)
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has been appointed Master of the Queen's Music for a 10-year period. The announcement was made by Buckingham Palace on 7 March and the composer has welcomed the appointment as giving him the opportunity to help raise the profile of classical music in the community. The post is honorary and carries no fixed duties, with the composer receiving a small stipend. Maxwell Davies succeeds Malcolm Williamson in the role, following the latter's death in March 2003, and is in line of succession from prestigious earlier incumbents including Edward Elgar, Arnold Bax and Arthur Bliss.
Peter Maxwell Davies made the following statement following the announcement:
"I am very honoured and privileged to have been offered the position of Master of the Queen's Music, and I hope that I will be able to work towards achieving some kind of expression on a large scale, comprehensible to the general public, fulfilling music which, for me, has meaning and personal significance as well as reflecting the issues of the day which relate to the purpose of this post."
To listen to music by Max, visit our Sound Sample area.
A prolific composer of almost 300 published works, Maxwell Davies's theatrical works include the operas Taverner and The Martyrdom of St Magnus, the full-length ballet Salome and numerous music theatre pieces including Eight Songs for a Mad King. His orchestral works include eight symphonies, fourteen concertos, and the very popular Orkney Wedding with Sunrise. He has also written numerous orchestral, dramatic and choral works for performance by children. Sir Peter is currently writing a cycle of 10 string quartets.
The Master of the Queen’s Music is an honorary position traditionally conferred on a musician of distinction. Since the reign of King George V, the position has carried no fixed duties, although the Master may compose pieces for special Royal or State occasions.
The Masters of The Queen’s Music in the twentieth century have been Walter Parratt (1893-1924), Edward Elgar (1924-34), Walford Davies (1934-41), Arnold Bax (1942-53), Arthur Bliss (1953-75) and most recently Malcolm Williamson who died in March 2003.
Photo: © John Batten
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