Peter Maxwell Davies

This work was commissioned by the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig. First performance on 22nd August 2009, at the Leipzig Gewandhaus, given by Daniel Hope (violin) and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, conducted...

Max wrote this tiny piece for the small chorus of his St Magnus Festival, with a plain string accompaniment. It works absolutely beautifully and its text (in Latin) reminds us that sometimes we should...

This is the sacred comedy among Davies' pieces of music-theatre. Brought on by a children's wind band in a 7/8 march, the juggler presents himself at an abbey and is accepted by the abbot, the only si...

A short piece for small orchestra, written in 1989 when the composer heard of Michael Vyner's death. Premiered in October 1989 at Glyndebourne Sussex, by the London Sinfonietta and conducted by the co...

The task: to write a piece that could involve children as players, singers and composers alongside a professional symphony or chamber orchestra. The solution: a peace-cry for the biosphere, in which t...

A ballet in two acts which premiered on the stage of the Royal Danish Theatre, Copenhagen, on 14th March 1991. Based on the true story of the sister of George III, Caroline Mathilde (1751-1775), who a...

The story centres on the English princess Caroline Mathilde (1751-1775), sister of George III, who at the age of 15 was sent to Denmark to marry the 17-year-old eccentric and schizophrenic Danish King...

Orchestral work for school orchestra A short tone-poem which will let a school orchestra glow. Characteristically, Davies finds ways to engage and stretch young players while staying within the bounds...

In 1971 Davies adapted the original Sandy Wilson music, and wrote some of his own, for Ken Russell's film of The Boy Friend. The music, like the film, goes way over the top in reviving the style of th...

A ghost story telling of the mysterious disappearance of three lighthouse keepers in the Hebrides. This is a mystery story in the form of a chamber opera. The prologue is set as a court of enquiry int...

An attractive short piece for Nativity which makes an ideal concert item, for unison voices and piano (with words by George Mackay Brown), commissioned by The Times for Christmas 1993.

Three songs and scenes linked by instrumental transitions make up this exciting story about a robbery with a car chase! Scope for a large group of children to be involved. The copiable parts book cont...

This work was written to celebrate the Diamond Wedding of Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

There are seven songs and an instrumental interlude, making all together an entertainment that provides opportunity for very simple stage action and dancing: nothing at all elaborate is needed in the...

Peter Maxwell Davies' 1990 work for unaccompanied SATB choir, written for the BBC singers. Words by George Mackay Brown. 'Written for the BBC Singers, this piece requires a high level of choral expert...

This work was commissioned for the choir of St. Paul's Old Church, Edinburgh, who gave the first performance on the 11th of June 1989 at St. Giles' Church, Edinburgh, conducted by Leslie Shankland. Th...

Commissioned by the International Organ Festival Nürnberg Musica Sacra to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. If this glorious, full-blooded, passionate oratorio doesn't pierce, wound and ravish even...

The inspiring journey of the three kings to Bethlehem is beautifully told through words and music in Peter Maxwell Davies' wonderful setting of George Mackay Brown's text. The piece is arranged for SS...

Peter Maxwell Davies sets Barbara Newman's translation of a text by Hildegard von Bingen, for SATB chorus and Organ. The work was commissioned by Epsom College to celebrate the one hudred and fiftieth...

Gray's Pier was commissioned by Andreas Klatt for Farnham Youth Choir. From Following a Lark by George Mackay Brown. For unaccompanied choir SSA. Piano accompaniment on the score for rehearsal purpose...

For SSSAAATTBBB (with soli) and Organ. Dedicated to Her Majesty The Queen, in the year of her Diamond Jubilee. Commissioned by the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral in celebration of the terce...

Angelus is an important addition to the choral ensemble repertoire - highly charged, dramatic and challenging for any good choir.