Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE 1934–2016

The Royal Society of Musicians is deeply saddened to announce the death of its President Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE. Universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time, Sir Peter has made a significant contribution to musical history through his wide-ranging and prolific output. Society Member and former Creative Director of Schott Music, Sally Groves has paid the following tribute:

“‎Max was a truly unique musician. A remarkable composer who created music theatre works of searing power, great symphonies, intense chamber music, works of truly universal popularity. A fierce fighter for music in the community and in education, and on environmental issues. And a man of invincible integrity, a true friend and a teller of truth to power. He lived in the world, even though he seemed far away in Hoy or in Sanday, and he put his beliefs into action, whether it was to found a music festival for his fellow Orkadians which became an international success, bring music-making to a wider public through his time as Master of the Queen’s Music, or to march against the Iraq invasion. He loved life – and particularly the food and culture of Italy. The last years, even when battling against the leukaemia which came on him so suddenly, were an Indian Summer of wonderful, richly imagined works which brought him admiration from his fellow composers and warm responses from audiences.

Honoured by many institutions worldwide, and made a Companion of Honour in 2015, Max was particularly delighted to receive the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal in February this year.”

We were honoured to have Sir Peter as our President and his name will live on through the Society, having been a former resident of our new home at 26 Fitzroy Square:

“I had a flat there in the late ’60s and early ’70s on the piano mobile in 26 Fitzroy Square! And a lot of Eight Songs for a Mad King, in collaboration with Roy Hart, the first Mad King, was worked out overlooking the Square. Roy could not be discreet, and made all the noises at the top of his voice, much to the distress of the Chinese Quarterly in particular, below. I have lovely memories of 26 Fitzroy Square, and hope that, if you stay there late at night, you don’t hear ghostly echoes of the first experiments with Eight Songs.”

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE, born 8 September 1934, died 14 March 2016.