Malcolm Williamson: The first non-Briton to become Master of the Queen's Music

The Australian-born composer died at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge following a long illness.

He studied piano and the French at the Sydney Conservatorium and was also a keen composition student.

After graduating with a music degree he moved to London in 1950, taking up a position as a proof reader at a publishing house.

He was also an organist and choirmaster at a parish church and played piano in a nightclub.

Mr Williamson, who described himself as a compulsive composer, then devoted his time to writing music from the early 1960s.

He became the 19th Master of the Queen's Music in 1975 and was the first non-Briton to hold the post.

The honorary position requires the holder to compose appropriate music for state occasions.

Music for children

His repertoire also included keyboard pieces, chamber and religious music and ballets.

Inspiring children to enjoy music was another of his passions and he composed operas for young people including one based on Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince.

His opera The Valley and the Hill was written for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and was performed by 18,000 children in Liverpool.

His last known work was a composition to accompany words by the late author Iris Murdoch.

They performed together at the Proms in 1995 on A Year of Birds.

Mr Williamson was made a CBE in 1976 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1987 for his services to music and people with learning difficulties.

He leaves behind his wife Dolly and their three children, Peter, Tamara and Clare.