Orchestras are "boozy cultures" - continued

Poet Laureate Andrew Motion said that since his appointment in 1999 he had wanted to work with the master of the Queen's music. But Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' late predecessor, Malcolm Williamson (right), was afflicted with long-term health and alcohol problems. "With the best will in the world, he wasn't available, in a profound sense," said Motion.

Andrew Motion was speaking with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies at this week's Association of British Orchestras conference in Gateshead

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