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 and at South Bank Centre in London (Jul 2009); Austrian premiere of The Last Supper by Neue Oper Wien (Apr 2009); feature at Bath Festival (May 2009)
View a video podcast of David Harsent introducing The Minotaur.
"A great original ... one of the most gifted composers of his generation." — The Times
