Sir Peter Maxwell Davies dies, aged 81

March 14, 2016 at 1:20 pm

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies during the 'Max at 80' event in the 2014 St Magnus International Festival. (www.theorcadianphotos.co.uk) — Sir Peter Maxwell Davies during the ‘Max at 80’ event at the 2014 St Magnus International Festival. (www.theorcadianphotos.co.uk)

Tributes have been paid to the composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who has passed away at the age of 81.

Sir Peter, known affectionately as Max, was born in Salford, Lancashire, on September 8, 1934.

In 1971, he moved to Orkney — first setting up home in Rackwick, Hoy, before relocating to Sanday in the late 1990s.

He was a co-founder of the St Magnus Festival and held the post of Master of the Queen’s Music from 2004–2014. He was knighted in 1987 and made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the New Year 2014 Honours List.

Last month, Sir Peter was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal, the highest accolade the society can bestow, in recognition of outstanding musicianship.

Sir Peter had been suffering from leukaemia.