Celebrating Sir Harrison Birtwistle at 85

Sunday 22 September 2019
CBSO Centre, Birmingham, B1 2LF

Click here to download the concert programme

Online booking has now closed; a limited number of tickets will be available on the door from 4pm.

In celebration of Sir Harrison Birtwistle’s 85th birthday, Pulse Sampler will be performed by BCMG oboist Melinda Maxwell and percussionist Julian Warburton, alongside performances by the 2019–20 NEXT Musicians

In this highly anticipated world premiere, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group are delighted to present new work by Sir Harrison Birtwistle, one of the leading figures in contemporary music.

Commissioned through Sound Investment, we expect Birtwistle’s new piece to continue his examination of our relationship with the natural world. His music resonates with the animals his work pays homage to – from the moth to the hare – and will be celebrated within an evening which showcases three generations of UK composers.

This concert will tour to the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg in October 2019

4.30pm

Sir Harrison Birtwistle (b. 1934) Pulse Sampler (1984/2019), 10′
Melinda Maxwell Oboe
Julian Warburton Percussion

Rebecca Saunders (b. 1967) Molly’s Song 3 – Shades of Crimson (2017), 10′

Marie-Christine Zupancic Alto Flute
Christopher Yates Viola
Tom McKinney Guitar

And works by Sir Harrison Birtwistle performed by NEXT Musicians

6pm

Alice Rossi Soprano
Simone Leona Hueber Reciter
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla Conductor (Saunders)
Geoffrey Paterson Conductor

Rebecca Saunders (b. 1967) a visible trace (2006), 21′
Lisa Illean (b. 1983) Cantor (2017), 9′
Sir Harrison Birtwistle (b. 1934):
Three Songs from The Holy Forest (2017), 7′
… when falling asleep (2018/19), 7′ ^{WP SI}
The Woman and the Hare (1999), 15′

^WPWorld Premiere ^SI Sound Investment Commission

We don’t send out tickets

Once you’ve booked, we will add your name to our guestlist – simply come and find us at the main desk and we will issue your ticket and complimentary programme for the evening. We will email final details a few days before the concert as a friendly reminder too.