Sir Harry photographed with Martyn Brabbins
https://www.universaledition.com/sir-harrison-birtwistle-64/works/cortege-12802
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sir Harry at least three times, convivial and treasured occasions, and exchanging “hellos” at concerts. The last time our paths crossed was at a memorial event for Peter Maxwell Davies (St John’s Smith Square, London). He came over, said hello, and asked “do you know where the lavatory is?” I pointed him in the right direction and was glad to be able to help. Very sorry that he’s left us.
A recent release:
http://www.colinscolumn.com/nash-ensemble-records-chamber-works-by-harrison-birtwistle-for-bis/.
A great composer, and on my one meeting with him, I found him personally charming.
So very sad, the passing of a giant.
*Really* sad news. An individualist and unreconstructed modernist. Will be truly missed.
A painful loss, he wrote some great music.
Very sad news. I wonder what the proms this year will do to pay tribute?
I’ve been looking to see if it might be mentioned on the TV News. Hmmm. Not a footballer or third-rate pop drummer…. Not important, therefore.
Susanna Mälkki’s tribute:
“What a sad day for music. The news about Sir Harrison Birtwistle leaving us too is a big loss… yet another one of the generation of the true giants of modernism going.
“That he wrote such amazingly powerful and uncompromising music while being such a sweet and fun person is heartwarming in so many ways.
“I remember extremely well my first encounter with him – it was in Lucerne back in 2004. I was invited to conduct the Ensemble intercontemporain for the very first time, and on the programme there was nothing less than Secret Theatre by him, plus Tragoedia, plus some other scary pieces. I knew he’d be there, and indeed we met at the general rehearsal. Needless to say, I was quite nervous to see him after the run, but he was adorable…. and after warmly congratulating me, he even confidently whispered in my ear: “I’m so glad you do the right tempo in the fast bit. Pierre is always way too slow!!” And he giggled.
“After the concert, I also met this certain “Pierre“, also for the first time – a moment which I had feared for weeks, of course. And there he was: backstage, laughing so warmly – and imitating the madly fast section in Secret Theatre!!!! My baptism by fire was full of unexpected smiles!
“May he rest in peace. I’m sure there are quite some beautiful debates going on up there on a remote cloud, about counterpoint.”
I have tried to listen and learn from Harry, but have not always been successful.
I attended the ENO premiere of The Mask of Orpheus and hated it which was an unpleasant surprise as I regard The Triumph of Time as an undisputed masterpiece . Also Earth Dances.
I got so hungry trying my best to absorb The Mask that I left after the long 80 minute first act for a meal somewhere near.
His personality never allowed him to occasionally court popularity unlike his contemporary, Maxwell Davies. So he has generated no wider following beyond the ever evolving avant garde.
A few words from Norman Lebrecht, extracted from a longer article:
“Sir Harrison Birtwistle, a British composer of inimitable originality and global success, has died some months after suffering a stroke.
“Never an ‘easy’ composer, he posed problems that good conductors loved to tackle. Christoph von Dohnanyi, Pierre Boulez, Daniel Barenboim and Franz Welser Möst were among those who found fulfilment in his extraordinary Earth Dances, as gripping an evocation of nature and ritual as Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.
“Like Samuel Beckett, he mystified those who could not penetrate his works and delighted those who could.
“Contrary to some slick media portraits of a solitary artist, he was highly sociable and tremendous fun with those he liked and trusted. He had a slow, dry way of telling jokes, all the more explosive for the long buildup.
“I had great affection for him and grieve at his passing.”