Patrons

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

Diversity is honoured to have Sir Peter Maxwell Davies as its first patron.

Universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time, Maxwell Davies has made a significant contribution to musical history through his wide-ranging and prolific output. He lives in the Orkney Islands, where he writes most of his music. In a career spanning more than five decades, he has written across a broad range of styles, yet his music always communicates directly and powerfully.

Maxwell Davies’ major dramatic works include full-length ballets Salome and Caroline Mathilde, musical theatre works, and operas, of which his most recent, Kommilitonen! (Young Blood!) received critical acclaim at its world premiere in London last season.

His huge output of orchestral work includes eight symphonies – hailed by The Times as “the most important symphonic cycle since Shostakovich” – with a ninth symphony receiving its premiere in 2012. He has composed numerous concerti, light orchestral works, a cycle of ten string quartets, and five large-scale works for chorus, including the oratorio Job.

Maxwell Davies has held the position of Composer/Conductor with both the Royal Philharmonic and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras, and has guest-conducted orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestra.

Maxwell Davies was knighted in 1987, and appointed Master of the Queen's Music in 2004.

Our Summer 2012 concert included a performance of the Sonatina for Solo Trumpet by Maxwell Davies. Our 21st Anniversary concert in July 2013 will include a performance of his choral work Lullabye for Lucy, which has also featured in previous concerts.

(Photo credit: Martin Lengemann)