This afternoon, I've continued with a very gradual exposure to some music by Harrison Birtwistle. A few weeks ago, it seemed to be an unknowable clamour of shrieks and rumbles; a desultory, fragmentary and formless noise in which nothing registered for me as solidly discernible.
Happily, following suggestions by kind members of this board, a few pieces have begun to come into focus. Today, his Clarinet Quintet's softness and The Triumph of Time's murmuring have begun to explain themselves.
Birtwistle's music is a by-word for difficulty and there must be a wide range of experiences of it as he seems to be a contemporary composer about whom almost everyone has feelings and opinions.
Has anyone else struggled with Harrison Birtwistle? Struggled and lost or won? Has his music come easily to anyone?
Happily, following suggestions by kind members of this board, a few pieces have begun to come into focus. Today, his Clarinet Quintet's softness and The Triumph of Time's murmuring have begun to explain themselves.
Birtwistle's music is a by-word for difficulty and there must be a wide range of experiences of it as he seems to be a contemporary composer about whom almost everyone has feelings and opinions.
Has anyone else struggled with Harrison Birtwistle? Struggled and lost or won? Has his music come easily to anyone?