Harrison Birtwistle

[Orphical]

I see The Io Passion is being performed in Magdeburg Germany next Summer.
What hope have we for a production of The Mask of Orpheus somewhere in Europe in the coming years?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Hope? Tons of the stuff! How much would you like?
Probability? Don't hold your breath.

One of the great works of Music Theatre, breathtaking in its scope and achievement. But it's expensive at the best of times, let alone at the moment. So, unless some very wealthy Birtwistle enthusiast donates a huge amount of money, we'll have to make do with the NMC CDs, our memories of the ENO production and/or our imaginations.

[jayne lee wilson]

Oh it's late, exhausted after yet another traumatic week, but...

All hail The Mask of Orpheus!!

I don't think there's another 20thC work I feel more strongly about. When it was mounted at the RFH in 1996 I had the extraordinary libretto with the picture of the arches and everything sent over from a Manchester library, the better to follow and tape it! Now of course we have it in the NMC set, it's a work of art in itself. I think I have the RFH program somewhere, I phoned the BBC for a copy, remember the photos of those multiple stages? There must be someone on the boards who was there - perhaps you, fhg?

I saw a quote from Churchill today, "when you're going through hell, keep going"...
It's on my invisible aegis now, but it's works like Orpheus, Missa Solemnis, Mahler 9 that you carry with you too, to help you through.

Maybe I should start a thread called "True Confessions"...

Hope? Tons of the stuff! How much would you like?
Probability? Don't hold your breath.

One of the great works of Music Theatre, breathtaking in its scope and achievement. But it's expensive at the best of times, let alone at the moment. So, unless some very wealthy Birtwistle enthusiast donates a huge amount of money, we'll have to make do with the NMC CDs, our memories of the ENO production and/or our imaginations.

[Norfolk Born]

I see The Io Passion is being performed in Magdeburg Germany next Summer.
What hope have we for a production of The Mask of Orpheus somewhere in Europe in the coming years?

Hello Orphical! I have always had the greatest difficulty in coping with this composer's music, but am pleased to offer you a warm welcome to the Forum, and combine that welcome with the hope that you may help persuade me of the error of my ways.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Hello Orphical! ... a warm welcome to the Forum

Gosh, yes! I'm sorry, Orph; my enthusiasm for the subject meant I didn't notice that it was your first Posting! Welcome, indeed: what a great start!

[umslopogaas]

I have just dug out my programme for the ENO production of 'The Mask of Orpheus', I went to one of the premiere run of eight performances in 1986. I'm afraid at this distance I can remember very little, I fear that it was simply too difficult for a non-musician such as myself. I recall a lot of noise, but you dont exactly come away humming the tunes. I dont have a recording, but I do have an LP of Birtwistle's music which includes 'Nenia - The Death of Orpheus'. Despite also having a libretto by Zinovieff, this is a stand alone piece and not an extract from the opera. It was however an earlier attempt by HB to get to grips with the subject.

Does anyone know if the ENO has ever revived the opera? According to the programme, "This [premiere] production is made possible in part by an anonymous and generous gift." It would be fascinating to see it again, after more than a quarter of a century.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Does anyone know if the ENO has ever revived the opera? According to the programme, "This [premiere] production is made possible in part by an anonymous and generous gift." It would be fascinating to see it again, after more than a quarter of a century.

No, they haven't and yes it would!
AFaIK, the ENO is the only staged version the work has ever received antwhere and I so envy your having seen it. I missed both this and the semi-staged RFH "one-off" that Jayne mentions above. (Which I also greatly envy. Two deadly sins in one post!)

I used to have to travel regularly between Denholme and Bingley, passing an enormous railway viaduct on the way. It always made me remember "The first arch is the arch of COUNTRYSIDE": not exactly "humming the tunes" (but I don't do that much with Spem in alium, either) but demonstrating how this powerful Music can embed itself in the memory.

[umslopogaas]

Well, no, I imagine it would be a bit taxing to hum forty parts all at the same time ...

fhg, could you post details of the NMC CDs that you mentioned earlier? I think I'm going to do a bit of Christmas shopping, for myself.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

fhg, could you post details of the NMC CDs that you mentioned earlier? I think I'm going to do a bit of Christmas shopping, for myself.

Cheapest I can find it is £17.63 at

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/w/4268/Harrison-Birtwistle-The-Mask-of-Orpheus

... which is cheaper than even the MP3 download from NMC itself:

http://www.nmcrec.co.uk/recording/mask-orpheus

... but if you buy from here before 21st Dec, you could win a CD signed by Sir Harry himself!

[umslopogaas]

Many thanks fhg, I'll get on the case. It'll make an, err, invigorating change to these interminable Christmas carols.

[Serial_Apologist]

Many thanks fhg, I'll get on the case. It'll make an, err, invigorating change to these interminable Christmas carols.

Am I right in thinking Birtwistle has actually composed Christmas carols? Or, at least, one?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Am I right in thinking Birtwistle has actually composed Christmas carols? Or, at least, one?

Yes: back in 1996-ish.

UMSLOPOGAAS: STOP PRESS

Sainsbury's (honest) have the CD set for £15.99!

http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Music/CD/Harrison-Birtwistle/Mask-of-Orpheus/product.html?product=E10064614

... plus Nectar points!

[Serial_Apologist]

Yes: back in 1996-ish.

Thought so.

[umslopogaas]

Thanks fhg, I must say that I wouldnt have thought of Sainsburys as a source for music by Harrison Birtwistle!

Not sure at the moment whether to jump in and order it on line - something I dont like doing very much, giving out credit card details always makes me nervous - or just get my friendly hifi dealer to order it for me: that will cost more, but I've good reason to put a bit of business their way.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks fhg, I must say that I wouldnt have thought of Sainsburys as a source for music by Harrison Birtwistle!

Not sure at the moment whether to jump in and order it on line - something I dont like doing very much, giving out credit card details always makes me nervous - or just get my friendly hifi dealer to order it for me: that will cost more, but I've good reason to put a bit of business their way.

I know exactly how you feel. It was only when the Huddersfield Festival put tickets with 30% reductions that I took the plunge. You might prefer to buy Sainsbury gift vouchers which you can buy (with cash) in their stores and "spend" over the Internet without compromising your financial details. (Similarly Amazon do MP3 vouchers and they have the set for less than £12 as a Download!)

But you may well have to buy a £20 voucher anyway, so supporting your local shops may turn out to be for the best for everyone concerned!

(I would, if my local "Classical Music Specialist Shop" were merely efficient. Instead, they insist on telling me that my requests are "unobtainable" or even "don't seem to exist"! (I asked for the Ferneyhough KAIROS CD and the BBCSO Martinu Symphonies before giving in to the lure of on-line bargains!)

Best Wishes.