Sir Peter Maxwell Davies | |
|---|---|
 Davies in 2012 | |
| Born | 8 September 1934 Salford, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 14 March 2016 (aged 81) Sanday, Orkney, Scotland |
| Occupations |
|
| Works | List of compositions |
| 20th Master of the Queen's Music | |
| In office 2004–2014 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Williamson |
| Succeeded by | Judith Weir |
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE (8 September 1934 – 14 March 2016) was an English composer and conductor, who in 2004 was made Master of the Queen's Music.[1]
As a student at both the University of Manchester and the Royal Manchester College of Music, Davies formed a group dedicated to contemporary music called the New Music Manchester with fellow students Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Elgar Howarth and John Ogdon. Davies's compositions include eight works for the stage—from the monodrama Eight Songs for a Mad King, which shocked the audience in 1969, to Kommilitonen!, first performed in 2011—and ten symphonies, written between 1973 and 2013.
As a conductor, Davies was artistic director of the Dartington International Summer School from 1979 to 1984 and associate conductor/composer with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 1992 to 2002, holding the latter position with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra as well.
- ^ Dunnett, Roderic (August 2009). "Life & Career – Sir Peter Maxwell Davies". Maxopus.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011.