Master of the King's Music
Master of the King's Music is a post in the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. The holder of the post originally served the monarch of England, directing the court orchestra and composing or commissioning music as required.
The first appointed Master of the King's Musick, Nicholas Lanier
Sir Edward Elgar, Master, 1924–34
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
Nicholas Lanier, sometimes Laniere was an English composer and musician; the first to hold the title of Master of the King's Music from 1625 to 1666, an honour given to musicians of great distinction. He was the court musician, a composer and performer and Groom of the Chamber in the service of King Charles I and Charles II. He was also a singer, lutenist, scenographer and painter.
Nicholas Lanier
Nicholas Lanier, painting by van Dyck, 1632, Kunsthistorisches Museum
Nicholas Lanier 1613, unknown painter, sold at Christies.
Portrait of the artist, William Dobson, with Nicholas Lanier (left) and Sir Charles Cotterell (right), c 1645.