RIP Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

The Musicians’ Company is very sad to learn of the death of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE.

Sir Peter had an association with the Company of over 28 years from when he was awarded the Cobbett Medal for services to Chamber Music in 1987, following other distinguished composers and musicians who have received this award.

The Company awarded ‘Max’ its highest honour, the Honorary Freedom of the Company, in 2008 to mark his great achievements to further British music, not least the teaching and development of the next generation of composers.

Last year the Company asked Max to accept its Collard Life Fellowship following three distinguished predecessors, Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Herbert Howells. Max described the award as “the greatest honour that a composer would ever wish for”.

 Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE and Mrs Kathleen Duncan OBE