“Speculation is rising about who has been chosen to succeed him as the musical equivalent of Poet Laureate, a post that can trace its history back to Charles I’s creation of the title “Master of the King’s Musick” for Nicholas Lanier in 1626. In the 20th century the position has diminished in importance and become an honorary title, but nevertheless it has been occupied by figures including Edward Elgar, Arnold Bax and Arthur Bliss.”
