Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
Composer/Conductor
Universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has made a significant contribution to musical history through his wide-ranging and prolific output.
Worklist - a selection
Highlights from a worklist that spans decades include the iconic Eight Songs for a Mad King, the joyful and entertaining Orkney Wedding with Sunrise, the Naxos String Quartet cycle, the Strathclyde concerto series, five operas, eight symphonies, two ballet scores, a wealth of music for children and young performers and many more works both serious and light-hearted.
Key Dramatic works
Eight Songs for a Mad King (1966) - 30 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Music theatre piece for male voice and instrumental ensemble
Versalii Icones (1969) - 40 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Music-theatre work for dancer, solo cello and instrumental ensemble
Taverner (1970) - 130 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Opera in two acts
Miss Donnithorne's Maggot (1974) - 37 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Music theatre piece for soprano or mezzo-soprano and instrumental ensemble
The Lighthouse (1979) - 72 mins, Chester Music
Chamber Opera in one act
Cinderella (1979) - 50 mins, Chester Music
Pantomime Opera in Two Acts for Young Performers
Caroline Mathilde (1990) - 32 mins, Chester Music
Ballet in two acts
Mr Emmet Takes a Walk (1999) - 60 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Music theatre piece for soprano, baritone, bass and instrumental ensemble
Back to Top
Selected Orchestral Works
First Fantasia (on an 'In Nomine' of John Taverner) (1962) - 11 mins, Schott Music
For symphony orchestra
St Thomas Wake* (1969) - 20 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Foxtrot for orchestra
Worldes Bliss (1969) - 37 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Motet for orchestra
An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise* (1984) - 13 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
For orchestra
Ojai Festival Overture* (1991) - 6 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
For orchestra
Carolìsima* (1994) - 17 mins, Schott Music
Serenade for chamber orchestra
Mavis in Las Vegas* (1997) - 13 mins, Chester Music
For orchestra
Roma Amor (1998) - 40 mins, Chester Music
For orchestra
Antarctic Symphony (2000) - 40 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
For symphony orchestra, inspired by a visit to the Antarctic
The Rustle of Colour (Das Rauschende der Farbe) (2007) - 30 mins, Schott Music
For orchestra, inspired by the paintings of Paula Modersohn-Becker
* light orchestral works (light in mood)
Back to Top
Concerto Highlights
The Strathclyde Concertos (1986-1996) - Chester Music and Boosey & Hawkes
Concertos for chamber orchestra with a range of instrumental soloists.
Highlights include:
No. 2 for Cello and Orchestra - 33 mins, Chester Music
No. 3 for Horn, Trumpet and Orchestra - 31 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
No. 4 for Clarinet and Orchestra - 27 mins, Chester Music
No. 10 Concerto for Orchestra - 31 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
Trumpet Concerto (1988) - 30 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
For solo trumpet and orchestra
Cross Lane Fair (1994) - 14 mins, Chester Music
For Northumbrian pipes and orchestra
Back to Top
Selected ensemble and chamber works
Seven in Nomine (1965) - 14 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
For instrumental ensemble
Ave Maris Stella (1975) - 32 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
For instrumental ensemble
Image, Reflection, Shadow (1982) - 37 mins, Chester Music
For instrumental ensemble
De Assumtione Beatae Mariae Virginis (2001) - 28 mins, Chester Music
For instrumental ensemble
Naxos Quartet cycle (2002-2007) - varying lengths, Chester Music
10 String Quartets
Hymn to Artemis Locheia (2004) - 30 mins, Schott Music
For clarinet quintet
Back to Top
Selected vocal and choral works
O Magnum Mysterium (1960) - 40 mins, Schott Music
For SATB chorus with two instrumental sonatas and organ fantasia
(possible for good senior schools)
Job (1997) - 70 mins, Chester Music
Oratorio for SATB solo, SATB chorus and orchestra
Mass (2002) - 25 mins, Boosey & Hawkes
For SATB Chorus and Organ, with optional Second Organ
The Kestrel Road (2003) - 18 mins, Chester Music
For SATB chorus and piano
(possible for good senior schools)
The Royal Collection (2003 onwards) - various durations, Schott Music
Collection of Christmas carols for The Queen and Prince Phillip
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis 'The Edinburgh Service' (2004) - 20 mins, Schott Music
For mixed choir and organ
Many works for SATB chorus and piano
Back to Top
Publishers
• Chester Music www.chesternovello.com
• Boosey & Hawkes www.boosey.com
• Schott Music www.schott-music.com
Back to Top