Leading classical composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has died at the age of 81, his family have confirmed.
Given the title Master of the Queen’s Music, the celebrated musician was famed for his intricate and often difficult works.
Sir Peter was born in Langworthy in 1935 and later lived in Swinton before travelling the world in support of his musical compositions.
He died at his home in Orkney, Scotland, after a battle with leukaemia.
He was given just six weeks to live after his initial diagnosis in 2013.
A year earlier Sir Peter had overseen the recording of his piece ‘Eight Songs for a Mad King’ by Salford University’s official MediaCityUK Ensemble.
The project stuck with Maxwell-Davies’ early-established tradition of pushing boundaries by allowing listeners to navigate around a 3D virtual environment and interact with objects to find out more about the music, musicians and aspects of the life of George III on which the score was based.
Eight Songs for a Mad King was written by Sir Peter in 1969 and is derived from tunes played by a mechanical organ owned by George III.
Sir Peter was considered one of the world’s leading contemporary composers.
His final completed work was ‘The Hogboon’, a children’s opera premiered at The Barbican in London in June last year.
Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart paid tribute today.
He siad: “Max, as he was known, was always a pioneer and visionary, always willing to push the boundaries musically and creatively.
“He saw that the arts could be used as a catalyst to revitalise Salford Docks by creating one of the finest theatres and arts complexes in the country and worked alongside other proud Salfordians and Salford City Council to make that happen.
“Today The Lowry is Greater Manchester’s top visitor attraction and MediaCityUK, which has grown up around it, is known and renowned internationally.
“Max was one of the great sons of Salford who never forgot his roots and gave his home city a legacy to be proud of. He will be sadly missed.”
Salford City Council is flying the flag at half mast at the Civic Centre as a mark of respect.
