Harrison Birtwistle

Composer

1934-07-15 – 2022-04-18

Harrison Birtwistle was an English composer associated with contemporary classical music. His major works include The Mask of Orpheus and Gawain, and he was widely regarded as one of Britain's most important postwar composers. He was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour and later knighted.

Books by Harrison Birtwistle

Harrison Birtwistle

Wild Tracks - A Conversation Diary with Fiona Maddocks
View on Amazon
Punch and Judy

A Tragical Comedy Or a Comical Tragedy; Opera in 1 Act
View on Amazon
The Minotaur

Libretto
View on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Quotes by Harrison Birtwistle

My attitude to writing is like when you do wallpapering, you remember where all the little bits are that don't meet. And then your friends say: It's terrific!
Read quote
I don't have ideas so much as there are things which constantly evolve... there are various threads or layers, if you like, which change.
Read quote
When I was confronted with official tuition, the academic thing, I could see no relationship whatever between that and the music I'd been writing since I was 11.
Read quote