Birtwistle's Gawain

[Sean]

Just got hold of the recording and played it for the first time today- very serious but listenable stuff, among the finest examples of the contemporary style moving around key centres- what tremendous sense of line Birtwistle has; the libretto seems to have parallels with Parsifal and the renunciation of inner or affected(?) love in order to experience it fully. Obviously a midway piece between Punch and Orpheus...

[Brünnhilde ewig]

It's been some time since I have listened to Gawain, would have to dig it out again to come up with something intelligent to talk about, but if you are interested in Harrison Birtwistle's work, try to watch the DVD of his latest opera 'The Minotaur. Outstanding acting and singing by John Tomlinson in the title role and Philip Langridge as Hiereus. Of course Antonio Pappano leads it all with his usual fine conducting.

[Sean]

Sure. His best and most memorable work includes the music for stage.