RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Nicholas Cleobury – Conductor

Harrison Birtwistle – Earth Dances

In this, his 80th birthday year, the distinctive, radical and uncompromising internationally acclaimed composer Harrison Birtwistle pays a rare visit to Dublin to celebrate one of his most iconic works. Earth Dances (1985/6) is a study of orchestral texture - it is conceived in strata, like layers of rock.

‘Through seismic shifts in sound, the layers have been fractured but they are still identifiable, rather like a sandwich where the tomatoes and cucumber have got above the bread, but they are still clearly maintaining their identity, their colour, flavour and texture’. – Harrison Birtwistle

The composer will talk through a live analysis of his work on stage with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra before a full performance of the 40 minute work is given.

This event is presented in association with The Music Composition Centre (Music Department, Trinity College Dublin) and is part of the conference “Composition in the 21st Century” (5-7 March 2014).  Sir Harrison Birtwistle will be keynote speaker of the conference.

http://www.newmusicdublin.ie/event/birtwistle-dublin/