Was the first non-Briton to be appointed Master of the Queen's music in
1975. The post is the musical equivalent of poet laureate, and the
incumbent is expected to write fanfares and other works for royal or
state occasions.
Williamson converted to Roman Catholicism in 1952 and immersed himself
in the compositions of the French organist Olivier Messiaen.
Composer of operas, ballets, choral and orchestral music. He was trained in composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.