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: 75th birthday concert by Nash Ensemble at Wigmore Hall (24 Mar); US premiere of The Corridor in New York (27 May) and Dutch premiere at Holland Festival (21 Jun); world premiere of Angel Fighter by RIAS Kammerchor at Leipzig Bachfest (13 Jun); new recording of recent orchestral works on NMC (2010)
"A great original ... one of the most gifted composers of his generation." — The Times
