New work honours late composer Peter Maxwell Davies

The late composer and conductor Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is to be honoured in a new work by emerging composer Kemal Yusuf.

Yusuf, who was mentored by Davies, will premiere Oyun, an 18-minute movement for string quartet, on 18 and 19 February in Norwich.

The piece was inspired by the lauded composer, who sadly passed away last year, aged 81.

Yusuf had taken his initial ideas to Davies back in 2015, who helped shape the movement.

Now, Yusuf is dedicating the piece to his mentor.

He said: ‘That time had a huge impact on me, both spiritually and musically… he was an incredibly important figure in my life, indeed a saviour in many ways.’

The piece will be performed by the Carducci Quartet at Norwich venues the John Innes Centre and Chapel Concerts, 64 Park Lane.

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE was active for more than five decades, working across a broad range of styles.

In 2004 he was made Master of the Queen’s Music.

Photo credit: Charlie Clift.