 Malcolm Williamson: a mischievous muse.
Author: Meredith, Anthony Published: 2007 A biography of the former Master of the Queen's Music, the Australian born composer Malcolm Williamson, who worked with various choreographers including Robert Helpmann and Frederick Ashton. After living a wild bohemian life since arriving from Sydney in the early 1950s, Williamson settled down under the influence of his American wife to become a highly successful composer, as productive as he was outspoken and controversial. Made Master of the Queen's Music in 1976 he seemed set for an even more brilliant career. But the royal post proved highly damaging. Having failed to complete works for the Queen's Silver Jubilee he quickly gained a reputation for unreliability. Subsequently excluded from the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and other important royal occasions, he was the constant target of innuendo in the media, suggesting he had offended Buckingham Palace by his improper or outrageous behaviour and unconcealed homosexuality. | 
