Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies , 1934-, English composer and conductor, b. Salford. He was co-founder (1967) of the Pierrot Players instrumental ensemble, later reinvented as the Fires of London (1970-87), which he directed and for which he wrote many pieces, e.g., the highly emotional Eight Songs for a Mad King (1969), probably his best-known work. He has composed in numerous idioms and moods, from early expressionist works to later more lyrical and reflective pieces; his interest in medieval and Renaissance music is clear in Shakespeare Music (1964) and other compositions. Extremely prolific, Davies has written choral works, e.g., O magnum mysterium (1960); operas, e.g., The Lighthouse (1980) and The Doctor of Myddfai (1996); several symphonies, e.g., Antarctic Symphony (2002); and numerous concerti, vocal works, chamber music, theater pieces, and many others. He has served as conductor/composer of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Glasgow (1985-94), the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London (1992-2000), and the BBC Philharmonic, Manchester (1992-2001); in 2004 he was appointed Master of the Queen's Musick. He was knighted in 1987.

Bibliography: See biography by M. Seabrook (1994) and bio-bibliography by C. Smith (1995); studies by S. Pruslin, ed. (1979), P. Griffiths (1981), R. McGregor, ed. (2001), and S. Craggs, ed. (2003).

Davies, Sir Peter Maxwell (1934– ) British composer. Prolific and varied in his compositions, he has written seven operas, including Taverner (1970), The Martyrdom of St Magnus (1976), and Resurrection (1987). His symphonies include the Antarctic Symphony (2000, Symphony No.8). Much of his work, reflects the landscape and culture of his adopted home, the remote Orkney Islands, n Scotland.