Deep Time
Donald Macleod talks to Sir Harrison Birtwistle about the influence of classical and early music on his own work, and on the high-wire act of composing in the moment.
This week Donald Macleod meets Sir Harrison Birtwistle, described as 鈥渢he most forceful and uncompromisingly original composer of his generation鈥�. We hear his major compositions, broadly in chronological order, and reveal the preoccupations and processes behind a singular music imagination
In this episode, Birtwistle talks to Donald about his compulsion to compose, and how the music of the past continues to inspire and fascinate him. We hear how the Greek myth of the minotaur was an irresistible subject for an opera, and how a lifelong fascination with moths inspired a new work meditating on loss.
Virelai (Sus une fontayne)
London Sinfonietta
David Atherton, cond.
The Minotaur (Part Two)
John Tomlinson, bass (the Minotaur)
Christine Rice, mezzo-soprano (Ariadne)
Johan Reuter, baritone (Theseus)
The Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Antonio Pappano, cond.
The Moth Requiem
Philippa Davies, alto flute
Lucy Wakefield, Helen Tunstall, Hugh Webb, harps
大象传媒 Singers
Nicholas Kok, cond.
In Broken Images
London Sinfonietta
David Atherton, cond.
Duet for Eight Strings
The Nash Ensemble:
Laurence Power, viola
Adrian Brendel, cello
Producer: Iain Chambers
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Harrison Birtwistle
Virelai [Sus une fontayne]
Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: David Atherton.- NMC NMCD211.
- NMC NMCD211.
- 3.
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Harrison Birtwistle
The Minotaur (extract)
Singer: John Tomlinson. Singer: Christine Rice. Singer: Johan Reuter. Conductor: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Choir: Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.- OPUS ARTE OA1000D.
- OPUS ARTE OA1000D.
- 1.
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Harrison Birtwistle
The Moth Requiem (extract)
Performer: Philippa Davies. Performer: Lucy Wakefield. Performer: Helen Tunstall. Performer: Hugh Webb. Choir: 大象传媒 Singers. Conductor: Nicholas Kok.- SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD368.
- SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD368.
- 8.
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Harrison Birtwistle
In Broken Images (extract)
Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: David Atherton.- NMC NMCD211.
- NMC NMCD211.
- 2.
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Harrison Birtwistle
Duet for Eight Strings
Performer: Nash Ensemble. Performer: Laurence Power. Performer: Adrian Brendel.
Broadcast
- Fri 1 Nov 2019 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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