Queen's composer attacks 'dumbing down' of British society

The Queen's composer has launched a stinging attack on the "dumbing down" of British society, singling out the commercialisation of art and Damien Hirst for particular criticism. By Auslan Cramb, Scottish Correspondent Sir Peter said that in today's Britain art 'has become part of the entertainment industry, crossed with investment banking' Photo: CHARLIE HOPKINSON Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, whose official title is the Queen's Master of Music, described Hirst's work - which recently raised £111 million at auction - as "manufactured artefacts without content." In a speech to the conference of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, he also criticised politicians and educationalists and warned that the country was in an "age of commercial depravity and irresponsibility". He expressed concern over the perception that... [read full story]