Harrison Birtwistle is one of the leading European figures in contemporary music * Works combine modernist aesthetic with mythic power and emotional impact * Inspiration from contemporary art and the rituals of classical mythology and pre-history * Recent works include Panic composed for the Last Night of the BBC Proms and The Shadow of Night commissioned by the Cleveland Orchestra * Noted Birtwistle conductors include Boulez, Howarth, Eötvös, Knussen, Rattle, Dohnányi, Barenboim and Pappano * Winner of 1986 Grawemeyer Award and 1995 Siemens Prize * CD recordings on Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Teldec, Etcetera, NMC, Black Box and CPO * The Minotaur is available on DVD from Opus Arte
Works by Harrison Birtwistle include: Pulse Shadows (1989-96) for soprano, chamber ensemble and string quartet Theseus Game (2002) for large ensemble and two conductors The Minotaur (2005-07) Opera in 13 scenes
Looking Ahead: new music theatre work, The Corridor, to receive first performances at Aldeburgh Festival (Jun), Southbank Centre in London and Bregenz Festival, in double bill with Semper Dowland, semper dolens, his adaptation of lute songs and viol music by Dowland; features at Aldeburgh Festival (Jun) and BBC Proms (Aug); UK premiere of Bogenstrich at Cheltenham Festival (5 Jul); new recordings of 26 Orpheus Elegies on Oboe Classics (Jul) and recent orchestral works on NMC (2010)
"A great original ... one of the most gifted composers of his generation." — The Times
