July 15, 1934:
Harrison Birtwistle is born in Accrington, Lancashire, United Kingdom, the only child of Frederick Birtwistle, a baker, and Margaret Harrison, the daughter of a carpenter.
May 6, 1957:
Harrison Birtwistle (22) attends a concert in London which includes Le marteau sans maître by Pierre Boulez (32), Concerto op.24 by Anton Webern (†11) and Zeitmasze by Karlheinz Stockhausen (28). The Boulez piece will be a major influence on his work.
July 11, 1959:
Refrains and Choruses for woodwind quintet by Harrison Birtwistle (24) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, Cheltenham.
April 5, 1960:
Monody for Corpus Christi for soprano, flute, horn, and violin by Harrison Birtwistle (25) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
March 6, 1961:
The World is Discovered for twelve players by Harrison Birtwistle (26) after Isaac is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
February 14, 1964:
Narration: A Description of the Passing of a Year for chorus by Harrison Birtwistle (29) after Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
July 8, 1964:
Three Movements with Fanfares for chamber orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (29) is performed for the first time, in The Guildhall, London.
July 11, 1964:
Entr’actes and Sappho Fragments for soprano, flute, oboe, violin, viola, harp, and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (29) to words of Sappho is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, Cheltenham.
March 19, 1965:
Ring a Dumb Carillon for soprano, clarinet, and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (30) to words of Logue is performed for the first time, in London.
June 17, 1965:
Carmen Paschale for chorus by Harrison Birtwistle (30) to words of Sedulus Scottus is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church.
August 20, 1965:
New works are performed for the first time, in Wardour Castle: Ecce manus tradentis for vocal soloists, chorus, seven winds, handbells, and harp by Peter Maxwell Davies (30) conducted by the composer, Tragoedia for wind quintet, string quartet, and harp with claves by Harrison Birtwistle (31) and four movements of Davies’ Seven in Nomine for ten players. See 3 December 1965.
June 15, 1966:
The Visions of Francesco Petrarca, an allegory by Harrison Birtwistle (31) to words of Petrarch (tr. Spenser), is performed for the first time, in St. Michael-le-Belfrey, York.
February 14, 1967:
Chorales for Orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (32) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
May 30, 1967:
Antechrist for piccolo, bass clarinet, percussion, violin, and cello by Peter Maxwell Davies (32) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, the composer directing. Also premiered is Harrison Birtwistle’s (32) Monodrama for soprano, speaker, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and percussion, conducted by the composer.
July 17, 1967:
Hymnos for clarinet and piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (32) is performed for the first time, at Cheltenham Town Hall, Gloucestershire. Davies also conducts the premiere of Three Lessons in a Frame for piano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (33).
June 8, 1968:
Punch and Judy, a tragical comedy or comical tragedy by Harrison Birtwistle (33) to words of Pruslin, is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.
August 23, 1968:
Nomos for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (34) is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.
October 11, 1968:
Linoi for clarinet and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (34) is performed for the first time, in the Purcell Room, London. See 22 April 1969.
October 18, 1968:
Four Interludes and a Tragedy for basset clarinet and tape by Harrison Birtwistle (34) is performed for the first time, in London. The first performance is without tape. See 10 February 1969.
February 10, 1969:
Four Interludes and a Tragedy for basset clarinet and tape by Harrison Birtwistle (34) is performed for the first time with tape, in London. See 18 October 1968.
February 12, 1969:
Verses for Ensembles for 15 players by Harrison Birtwistle (34) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
April 22, 1969:
Eight Songs for a Mad King, a stage work for male voice, piccolo, flute, clarinet, keyboards, percussion, violin, and cello by Peter Maxwell Davies (34) to words of Stow, is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, the composer conducting. Also premiered are works by eleven composers in honor of Dr. Alfred Kalmus, the director of Universal Edition, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. They are presented as A Garland for Dr. K. by the Pierrot Players and include Some Petals from my Twickenham Herbarium for piccolo, clarinet, viola, cello, piano, and bells by Harrison Birtwistle (34), conducted by the composer, Für Dr. K. no.28 for flute, clarinet, piano, vibraphone, tubular bells, violin, and cello by Karlheinz Stockhausen (40), conducted by Pierre Boulez (44), Pour le Dr Kalmus for flute, clarinet, viola, cello, and piano by Pierre Boulez, the composer conducting, Modification and Instrumentation of a Famous Hornpipe as a Merry and Altogether Sincere Homage to Uncle Alfred for flute, clarinet, percussion, harpsichord, viola, and cello by Luciano Berio (43), and Echos II de votre Faust for mezzo-soprano, flute, violoncello, and piano by Henri Pousseur (39). Also premiered is Birtwistle’s Linoi II for clarinet, piano, tape, and dancer. See 11 October 1968.
May 8, 1969:
Down the Greenwood Side, a dramatic pastoral by Harrison Birtwistle (34) to words of Nyman, is performed for the first time, in Festival Pavilion, West Pier, Brighton.
June 12, 1969:
Two works by Harrison Birtwistle (34) are performed for the first time, in Purcell Room, London: Cantata for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano/celesta, and glockenspiel/bongos, the composer conducting, and Ut Heremita Solus (after Ockeghem) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and glockenspiel.
October 22, 1969:
Two works by Harrison Birtwistle (35) are performed for the first time, in Firth Hall at the University of Sheffield: Hoquetus David for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, glockenspiel, and bells, and Medusa for flute/piccolo, clarinet/saxophone, violin/viola, cello, piano/celesta, percussion, two tapes, and shozyg, conducted by the composer.
January 13, 1970:
Two new works are performed for the first time, in the Purcell Room, London: Sub tuam protectionem for piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (35) and Eight Lessons for Keyboards by Harrison Birtwistle (35).
August 25, 1970:
Signals for clarinet and tape by Harrison Birtwistle (36) is performed for the first time, in the Richard Demarco Gallery, Edinburgh.
November 20, 1970:
Nenia: the Death of Orpheus for soprano, three bass clarinets/clarinet, piano/prepared piano, and crotales by Harrison Birtwistle (36) is performed for the first time, in Maida Vale Studios, London.
February 26, 1971:
Meridian for mezzo-soprano, six sopranos, horn, cello, and eleven players by Harrison Birtwistle (36) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
April 18, 1971:
Prologue for tenor, bassoon, horn, two trumpets, trombone, violin, and double bass by Harrison Birtwistle (36) to words of Aeschylus (tr. Vellacott) is performed for the first time, in London, conducted by the composer.
June 2, 1971:
An Imaginary Landscape for brass, eight double basses, and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (36) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London conducted by Pierre Boulez (46).
August 7, 1971:
The Fields of Sorrow for two sopranos, winds, vibraphone, and two pianos by Harrison Birtwistle (37) to words of Decimus Ausonius is performed for the first time, in Dartington conducted by the composer.
April 23, 1972:
Fool’s Fanfare for male speaker, two trumpets, two trombones, ukulele, and two percussionists by Peter Maxwell Davies (37) to words of Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Southwark Cathedral, London, the composer conducting. Also premiered is Epilogue for baritone, horn, four trombones, and six tam-tams by Harrison Birtwistle (37) to words of Shakespeare.
April 24, 1972:
Chronometer for 2x4 track tape by Harrison Birtwistle (37) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
June 1, 1972:
The Triumph of Time for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (37) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
June 17, 1972:
New works by British composers in honor of Igor Stravinsky (†1) are performed for the first time, in St. John’s Smith Square, London on the 90th anniversary of Stravinsky’s birth: In memoriam Magistri for flute, clarinet, and string quartet by Michael Tippett (67), the first live performance of Canon in memoriam Igor Stravinsky for flute, clarinet, harp, and string quartet by Peter Maxwell Davies (37), and Tombeau in memoriam Igor Stravinsky for flute, clarinet, harp, and string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (36). See 6 April 1972.
October 26, 1972:
Dinah and Nick’s Love Song for three melody instruments and harp by Harrison Birtwistle (38) is performed publicly for the first time, in Firth Hall at the University of Sheffield. Also premiered is Birtwistle’s La Plage: Eight Arias of Remembrance to words of Robbe-Griller for soprano, three clarinets, piano, and marimba to words after Robbe-Grillet.
August 15, 1973:
Grimethorpe Aria for brass by Harrison Birtwistle (39) is performed for the first time, in Royal Hall, Harrogate the composer conducting.
September 15, 1975:
Five Chorale Preludes for soprano, clarinet, basset horn, and bass clarinet by Harrison Birtwistle (41) after JS Bach (†225) is performed for the first time, in London.
September 18, 1976:
Melancolia I for clarinet, harp, and two string orchestras by Harrison Birtwistle (42) is performed for the first time, in Bute Hall at Glasgow University. Also premiered is Orchestra for orchestra by Morton Feldman (50).
March 9, 1977:
Silbury Air for 15 players by Harrison Birtwistle (42) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
June 25, 1977:
Pulse Field, a ballet by Harrison Birtwistle (42) to a choreography of Flier, is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.
July 5, 1977:
Bow Down, a music theatre by Harrison Birtwistle (42) to words of Harrison, is performed for the first time, in London.
January 24, 1978:
Carmen Arcadiae Mechanicae Perpetuum for 14 players by Harrison Birtwistle (43) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London conducted by the composer.
February 10, 1978:
For O, the O, the Hobby-Horse is Forgot for six percussionists by Harrison Birtwistle (43) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.
May 19, 1978:
The second version of Chorale from a Toy Shop for brass quintet by Harrison Birtwistle (43) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. See 28 March 1979.
March 28, 1979:
The first version of Chorale from a Toy Shop for flute, oboe/clarinet, clarinet/english horn, horn, trombone, and trombone/tuba by Harrison Birtwistle (44) is performed for the first time, in All Saints Church, Lewes. See 19 May 1978.
April 9, 1979:
...agm... for 16 voices and three instrumental ensembles by Harrison Birtwistle (44) to words of Sappho is performed for the first time, in Paris conducted by Pierre Boulez (54).
April 4, 1980:
Mercure--Poses Plastiques for 14 players by Harrison Birtwistle (45) after Satie (†54) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
May 10, 1980:
On the Sheer Threshold of the Night for four solo voices and chorus by Harrison Birtwistle (45) to words of Boethius (tr. Waddell) is performed for the first time, at the Hessischer Rundfunk, Frankfurt.
November 20, 1981:
Pulse Sampler for oboe and claves by Harrison Birtwistle (47) is performed for the first time, in Huddersfield Polytechnic Music Hall.
November 21, 1981:
Clarinet Quintet by Harrison Birtwistle (47) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul’s Hall, Huddersfield.
March 29, 1983:
Deowa for soprano and clarinet by Harrison Birtwistle (48) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
March 25, 1984:
Duets for Storab for two flutes by Harrison Birtwistle (49) is performed for the first time, in Rosslyn Hill Chapel, London.
July 20, 1984:
Still Movement for 13 strings by Harrison Birtwistle (50) is performed for the first time, in London.
October 18, 1984:
Secret Theatre for 14 players by Harrison Birtwistle (50) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. Also premiered is Birtwistle’s Songs by Myself for soprano, flute/alto flute, piano, vibraphone, violin, viola, cello, and double bass to his own words conducted by the composer.
November 17, 1985:
Words Overheard for soprano, flute, oboe, bassoon, and strings by Harrison Birtwistle (51) to his own words is performed for the first time, in City Halls, Glasgow the composer conducting.
March 14, 1986:
Earth Dances for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (51) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
May 21, 1986:
The Mask of Orpheus, a lyrical tragedy by Harrison Birtwistle (51) to words of Zinovieff, is performed for the first time, in the London Coliseum.
August 7, 1986:
Yan Tan Tethera, a mechanical pastoral by Harrison Birtwistle (52) to words of Harrison, is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
January 20, 1987:
Two chamber works by Peter Maxwell Davies (52) are performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London conducted by the composer: Dowland: Farewell-A Fancye for alto flute, bass clarinet, viola, cello, piano, and marimba, and Winterfold for mezzo-soprano, alto flute, bass clarinet, guitar, piano, viola, cello, and percussion to words of Brown. This is the farewell concert of The Fires of London, organized in May of 1967 as the Pierrot Players by Davies and Harrison Birtwistle (52).
May 1, 1987:
Endless Parade for trumpet, vibraphone, and string orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (52) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.
July 10, 1987:
Fanfare for Will for brass by Harrison Birtwistle (52) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London conducted by the composer.
September 6, 1987:
Les Hoquets du Gardien de la Lune for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (53) after Machaut (†610) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
September 29, 1987:
Harrison Birtwistle (53) wins Grawemeyer Award at the University of Louisville for his opera The Mask of Orpheus. The award brings him $150,000.
January 24, 1988:
Four Songs of Autumn for soprano and string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (53) to various Japanese poems is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
May 4, 1988:
An die Musik for soprano and ten players by Harrison Birtwistle (53) to words of Rilke is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, conducted by the composer.
April 12, 1989:
Salford Toccata for brass by Harrison Birtwistle (54) is performed for the first time, at the Salford College of Technology.
May 13, 1989:
White and Light for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass by Harrison Birtwistle (54) to words of Celan (tr. Hamburger) is performed for the first time, in Brighton. See 28 April 1996.
December 26, 1989:
The Wine Merchant Robin of Mere for male voices and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (55) to his own words, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC Radio 3.
March 10, 1990:
Machaut à ma Manière for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (55) after Machaut (†612) is performed for the first time, in the Musikhalle, Hamburg.
May 6, 1990:
Several works composed in memory of Michael Vyner are performed for the first time, at Covent Garden, London: In Memory of Michael Vyner for piano by Toru Takemitsu (59), Leaf for piano by Luciano Berio (64), the last movement of Good Night op.63 for soprano, alto flute, piano, and three tam-tams by Henryk Górecki (56) to words of Shakespeare, Ritual Fragment for 14 players by Harrison Birtwistle (55), and Introitus from Hans Werner Henze's (63) unperformed Requiem for piano and chamber orchestra. See 24 February 1993 and 4 November 1990.
January 1, 1991:
Harmoonia, a children’s opera by Harrison Birtwistle (57) to words of Browne, is performed for the first time, in Muscatine, Iowa.
May 30, 1991:
Gawain, an opera by Harrison Birtwistle (56) to words of Harsent, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
June 19, 1991:
Four Poems by Jaan Kaplinski for soprano and 13 players by Harrison Birtwistle (56) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.
October 21, 1991:
Gawain’s Journey for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (57) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.
November 7, 1991:
Two works are performed for the first time, in BBC Concert Hall, London: First Grace of Light for oboe by Peter Maxwell Davies (57), and An Interrupted Endless Melody for oboe and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (57).
November 18, 1991:
Several new works are performed for the first time, in the Konzerthaus, Vienna to celebrate the 90th birthday of Alfred Schlee, director of Universal Edition: Pièce pour piano et quatuor à cordes by Olivier Messiaen (82), Anthèmes I for violin by Pierre Boulez (66), the second movement of the Sonata for viola by Györgi Ligeti (68), Psalom for string quartet by Arvo Pärt (56), Zwischen den Zeilen for string quartet by Wolfgang Rihm (39), and Freize I for string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (57). See 19 October 1997, 28 March 1993, 23 April 1994, and 28 April 1996.
September 18, 1992:
Two works by Harrison Birtwistle (58) are performed for the first time, in the Purcell Room, London: Night for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass to words of Celan (tr. Hamburger), and Tenebrae for soprano, clarinet, clarinet in A, viola, cello, and double bass to words of Celan. See 28 April 1996.
May 5, 1993:
Antiphonies for solo piano and orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (58) is performed for the first time, in Paris conducted by Pierre Boulez (68).
May 7, 1993:
Five Distances for Five Instruments for woodwind quintet by Harrison Birtwistle (58) is performed for the first time, in Purcell Room, London.
November 8, 1993:
Fantasias 2 and 4 for string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (59) are performed for the first time, in Antwerp. See 28 April 1996.
May 28, 1994:
Fanfare for Glyndebourne for brass and timpani by Harrison Birtwistle (59) is performed for the first time, at Glyndebourne.
October 24, 1994:
The Second Mrs. Kong, an opera by Harrison Birtwistle (60) to words of Hoban, is performed for the first time, at Glyndebourne.
November 21, 1994:
With Letter and Clock for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass by Harrison Birtwistle (60) to words of Celan (tr. Hamburger) is performed for the first time, at King’s College, London. See 28 April 1996.
January 16, 1995:
The Cry of Anubis for tuba and orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (60) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
March 30, 1995:
Hoquetus Petrus for two flutes/piccolo and piccolo trumpet by Harrison Birtwistle (60) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Center, Chicago.
September 16, 1995:
Panic for alto saxophone, drummer, and band by Harrison Birtwistle (61) is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.
December 10, 1995:
Todtnauberg for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass by Harrison Birtwistle (61) to words of Celan (tr. Hamburger) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC Radio 3. See 28 April 1996.
April 26, 1996:
Slow Frieze for piano and 13 players by Harrison Birtwistle (61) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
April 27, 1996:
Several new works are performed for the first time in the Concert Hall of the Stadt-Casino, Basel: A 6 Letter Letter for english horn by Elliott Carter (87); Sur Incises for solo piano, two pianos, three harps, two vibraphones, and marimba by Pierre Boulez (71); An Eye, open for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass by Harrison Birtwistle (61) to words of Celan (tr. Hamburger); and Kol Od for trumpet and chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (70). All but the Carter are conducted by Pierre Boulez. See 28 April 1996 and 30 August 1998.
April 28, 1996:
Pulse Shadows by Harrison Birtwistle (61) is performed for the first time, in Witten. This consists of the intertwining of Nine Settings of Celan for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass performed completely for the first time today, and Nine Movements for String Quartet, also performed completely for the first time. Sections of the Nine Settings of Celan not performed earlier are Thread suns, Psalm, and Give the Word. Sections of the Nine Movements for string Quartet not performed earlier are Fantasias 1, 3 and 5 and Friezes 2-4.
May 4, 1996:
Bach Measures for chamber orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (61) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
February 5, 1998:
Exody ‘23:59:59’ for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (63) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Center, Chicago.
April 19, 1998:
Four movements of Harrison’s Clocks for piano by Harrison Birtwistle (63) are performed for the first time, in Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. See 13 July 1998.
July 13, 1998:
Harrison’s Clocks for piano by Harrison Birtwistle (63) is performed completely for the first time, in Cheltenham. See 19 April 1998.
March 9, 1999:
The Woman and the Hare for soprano, speaker, and ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (64) to words of Harsent is performed for the first time, in Purcell Room, London.
March 26, 1999:
Placid Mobile for 36 muted trumpets by Harrison Birtwistle (64) is performed for the first time, in London.
April 29, 1999:
Love Cries for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (64) to words of Hoban, made up of excerpts from the opera The Second Mrs. Kong, is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
May 19, 1999:
The Silk House Tattoo for two trumpets and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (64) is performed for the first time, at Lake Placid.
January 2, 2000:
Two works are performed for the first time, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London: Sonance 2000 for brass by Harrison Birtwistle (65), and Jubilate Deo for chorus, brass and organ by Peter Maxwell Davies (65).
January 8, 2000:
Sonance Severance 2000 for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (65) is performed for the first time, in Severance Hall, Cleveland.
March 16, 2000:
New works are performed for the first time, in the Pucell Room, London: Nine Settings of Lorine Niedecker for soprano and cello by Harrison Birtwistle (65), and Etude for cello and marimba by Steven Mackey (44).
March 26, 2000:
Several works are performed for the first time, in South Bank Center, London, in honor of the 75th birthday of Pierre Boulez: Retrouvailles for piano by Elliott Carter (91), Hommage à Pierre Boulez for piano by György Kurtág (74), Ostinato with Melody for piano by Harrison Birtwistle (65), Vers for piano by Jonathan Harvey (60), Piano Jubilees for piano by Magnus Lindberg (41), and Piano Etude no.6 by Unsuk Chin (38).
April 18, 2000:
The Last Supper, an opera by Harrison Birtwistle (65) to words of Blaser, is performed for the first time, in the Berlin Staatsoper.
May 11, 2000:
The Tate Gallery of Modern Art, the largest art museum in the world dedicated to contemporary art, is inaugurated in London by Queen Elizabeth. For the occasion, 17 Tate Riffs for 15 players by Harrison Birtwistle (65) is performed for the first time.
May 16, 2000:
The Sadness of Komachi for tenor and prepared piano by Harrison Birtwistle (65) after a Noh play is performed for the first time, in Opera City Recital Hall, Tokyo.
March 18, 2001:
Betty Freeman: Her Tango for piano by Harrison Birtwistle (66) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
March 22, 2001:
The Axe Manual for piano and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (66) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
May 3, 2001:
Fanfare for brass and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (66) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
June 30, 2001:
Two works for baritone and orchestra to words of Brendel are peformed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London: There is Something Between Us... by Harrison Birtwistle (66) and Brahms by Thomas Adès (30).
September 7, 2001:
Tenebrae David for brass by Harrison Birtwistle (67) is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.
January 10, 2002:
The Shadow of Night for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (67) is performed for the first time, in Severance Hall, Cleveland.
February 27, 2002:
Saraband: The King’s Farewell for piano by Harrison Birtwistle (67) is performed for the first time, at King’s College, London.
July 4, 2003:
26 Orpheus Elegies (first part) for oboe, harp, and voice by Harrison Birtwistle (68) is performed for the first time, in the Town Hall, Cheltenham.
September 19, 2003:
Theseus Game for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (69) is performed for the first time, in Duisburg-Nord.
October 11, 2003:
The Ring Dance of the Nazarene for tenor, chorus, two flutes/piccolos, oboe/english horn, clarinet/E flat clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and African drum by Harrison Birtwistle (69) to words of Harsent, is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
June 11, 2004:
The Io Passion, a chamber opera by Harrison Birtwistle (69) to words of Plaice, is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh. See 10 June 2006.
June 26, 2004:
Harrison Birtwistle (69) gives a lecture on the art of Paul Klee at the Royal Academy of Arts.
July 3, 2004:
The second part of 26 Orpheus Elegies for counter-tenor, oboe, and harp by Harrison Birtwistle (69) to words of Rilke is performed for the first time, at St. Andrew’s Church, Toddington, Great Britain.
July 4, 2004:
Today Too for tenor, flute, and guitar by Harrison Birtwistle (69) to words of Tanko (tr. Hoffmann) is performed for the first time, in Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham.
August 17, 2004:
Three Brendel Settings for voice and orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (70) is performed completely for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.
August 21, 2004:
Harrison Birtwistle (70) takes up duties as composer in residence at the Lucerne Festival. His Night’s Black Bird for orchestra is performed for the first time in the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum, Lucerne.
August 29, 2004:
The first complete performance of 26 Orpheus Elegies for counter-tenor, oboe, and harp by Harrison Birtwistle (70) to words of Rilke takes place in the Lukaskirche, Lucerne.
October 20, 2004:
Birtwistle Games, a three week celebration of the 70th birthday of Harrison Birtwistle, opens at the South Bank Centre, London.
March 16, 2005:
Two works are performed for the first time, in the Purcell Room, London: Mosaic for eight instruments by Elliott Carter (96), and Cantus Iambeus for 13 instruments by Harrison Birtwistle (70).
June 18, 2005:
Neruda madrigales for chorus and chamber ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (70) to words of Neruda is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.
July 10, 2005:
The Mouse Felt..., a song for solo voice and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (70) to words of Brendel, is performed for the first time, in Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham.
October 7, 2005:
Crowd for harp by Harrison Birtwistle (71) is performed for the first time, in the Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Rostock.
December 9, 2005:
Harrison Birtwistle (71) wins two British Composer Awards, in the orchestral category for Night’s Black Bird, and in the choral category for Ring Dance of the Nazarene.
March 8, 2006:
Two works are performed for the first time, in Holywell Music Rooms, Oxford: Song of Myself for baritone, double bass, and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (71) and A Page from A Humument for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass by Robin Holloway (62) to words of Phillips.
June 10, 2006:
The Io Passion: Aubades and Nocturnes for clarinet and string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (71) is performed for the first time, in University Concert Hall, Glasgow. See 11 June 2004.
August 9, 2006:
Lied for cello and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (72) is performed for the first time, in the Historische Stadthalle, Mendelssohn-Saal, Wuppertal.
November 19, 2006:
Lullaby for female chorus by Harrison Birtwistle (72) to words of James and Wedderburn is performed for the first time, in Southwark Cathedral, London.
June 11, 2007:
Cortege for 14 players by Harrison Birtwistle (72) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
October 14, 2007:
Variations for cello and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (73) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
April 15, 2008:
The Minotaur, an opera by Harrison Birtwistle (73) to words of Harsent, is performed for the first time, in the Royal Opera House, London.
April 27, 2008:
String quartet: The Tree of Strings by Harrison Birtwistle (73) is performed for the first time, in Witten.
September 6, 2008:
Virelai for twelve players by Harrison Birtwistle (74) is performed for the first time, in Turin.
December 2, 2008:
The Message for E flat clarinet, trumpet in C, and military drum by Harrison Birtwistle (74) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
April 2, 2009:
Roddy’s Reel for bass clarinet and audience by Harrison Birtwistle (74) is performed for the first time, in Raasay Community Hall on the Isle of Raasay.
May 22, 2009:
Bogenstrich for voice, cello, and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (74) to words of Rilke is performed for the first time, in Alto Adige.
June 1, 2009:
Fanfara Barolo for brass by Harrison Birtwistle (74) is performed for the first time, in Bath Abbey.
June 12, 2009:
Two works by Harrison Birtwistle (74) are performed for the first time, in Britten Studio, Aleburgh: The Corridor, a scena for soprano, tenor, and ensemble to words of Harsent, and Semper Dowland, semper dolens, a music theatre for tenor and ensemble to words of Dowland and Campion.
September 15, 2009:
Of Sweet Disorder and the Carefully Careless for oboe quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (75) is performed for the first time, in the Franziskanerkirche, Lucerne.
November 3, 2009:
From Vanitas for tenor and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (75) to words of Harsent is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
June 13, 2010:
Angel Fighter for counter tenor, tenor, chamber chorus, and ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (75), to words of Plaice, is performed for the first time, in the Thomaskirche, Leipzig.
September 9, 2010:
Duet 3 for english horn and bassoon by Harrison Birtwistle (76) is performed publicly for the first time, in Kings Place, London.
November 21, 2010:
Two works are performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London: Nocturne no.2 for piano quartet by Peter Maxwell Davies (76), and Crescent Moon over the Irrational for instrumental ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (76).
March 3, 2011:
Concerto for violin and orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (76) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
April 7, 2011:
Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (76) is performed for the first time, in the Schlosstheater, Celle, Germany.
May 8, 2011:
Oboe Quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (76) is performed for the first time, at the Rudolf Steiner Schule, Witten, Germany.
September 5, 2011:
Two new works are performed for the first time, in Teatro Dal Verme, Milan: In Broken Images for chamber orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (77), and La Girò for amplified violin and large ensemble by Louis Andriessen (72).
February 12, 2012:
Gigue Machine for piano by Harrison Birtwistle (77) is performed for the first time, in the Theaterhaus, Stuttgart.
March 13, 2012:
Fantasia Upon all the Notes for seven instruments by Harrison Birtwistle (77) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
October 14, 2012:
The Moth Requiem for twelve female singers, three harps, and alto flute by Harrison Birtwistle (78) to words of Blaser, is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
June 13, 2013:
Songs from the same Earth, a cycle for voice and piano by Harrison Birtwistle (78) to words of Harsent, is performed for the first time, in Peter Pears Recital Room, Aldeburgh.
April 26, 2014:
Hoquetus Irvineus for string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (79) is performed for the first time, in Milton Court Concert Hall, London.
September 14, 2014:
Variations from the Golden Mountain for piano by Harrison Birtwistle (80) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
October 24, 2014:
Responses for piano and orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (80) is performed for the first time, in the Herkulessaal, Munich.
November 22, 2014:
Chorale-Prelude for chorus by Harrison Birtwistle (80) is performed for the first time, at Merton College, Oxford.
December 4, 2014:
Construction with Guitar Player for guitar by Harrison Birtwistle (80) is performed for the first time, in St. John’s Smith Square, London.
December 5, 2014:
Duet 4 for flute and violin, and Duet 5 for horn and trombone by Harrison Birtwistle (80) are performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
June 12, 2015:
The Cure, an opera for two singers and six players by Harrison Birtwistle (80), is performed for the first time, in Britten Studio, Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh.
October 9, 2015:
Harrison Birtwistle (81) is awarded the Wihuri Sibelius Prize in Finlandia Hall, Helsinki.
November 6, 2015:
The Silk House Sequences for string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (81) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
June 1, 2016:
5 Lessons in a Frame for 13 players by Harrison Birtwistle (81) is performed for the first time, in St. John's Smith Square, London.
May 1, 2017:
Dear Dusty Moth for soprano and ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (82) to words of Blaser is performed for the first time, in the Philharmonie, Cologne.
June 5, 2017:
Deep Time for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (82) is performed for the first time, in the Philharmonie, Berlin.
February 7, 2018:
Two works for soprano and chamber ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (83) to words of Blaser are performed for the first time, in NDR Kleiner Sendesaal, Hannover: The Borrower, and The Literalist.
March 24, 2018:
Intrada for piano and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (83) is performed for the first time, in Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, Washington.
June 18, 2018:
Keyboard Engine for two pianos by Harrison Birtwistle (83) is peformed for the first time, at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh.
September 16, 2018:
Donum Simoni MMXVIII for woodwinds, brass, and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (84) is performed for the first time, in the Barbican, London.