This is Rattle: Birtwistle

Barbican Hall, London
Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2
United Kingdom
020 7638 8891
http://www.barbican.org.uk/eticketing

BBC Singers
Martyn Brabbins conductor
Philippa Davies flute
Helen Tunstall, Hugh Webb & Lucy Wakeford harps

Ancient and modern meet in an intriguing programme that folds time back across the centuries, juxtaposing Varèse, Machaut, Byrd and Birtwistle.

Simon Rattle has long championed Sir Harrison Birtwistle’s music. Now Birtwistle returns the compliment with a personally-curated musical greeting.

In his first concerts with the LSO, Rattle reaffirms his commitment to the powerful, unmistakably personal music of Harrison Birtwistle. Birtwistle’s own vocal music – and that of his forebears – forms the heart of this musical tribute from composer to conductor.

Martyn Brabbins conducts the BBC Singers in the intimate but atmospheric space of Milton Court, in a work that they co-commissioned: the poignant and profoundly beautiful Moth Requiem of 2012. But Birtwistle layers the concert with memories and echoing voices from across eight centuries - from Machaut to Byrd and Varèse. A programme as subtle and provocative as one of Rattle’s own.


Edgard Varèse : Octandre
De Machaut : Messe de Nostre Dame
Harrison Birtwistle : Pulse Sampler
William Byrd : Lamentations
Harrison Birtwistle : The Moth Requiem