In Broken Images - Sir Harrison Birtwistle

In Broken Images, co-commissioned by the London Sinfonietta (2011), celebrates the formation of the Italian state. Birtwistle took as his starting point the music of Italian composer Giovanni Gabrieli with its interplay between groups of instruments. But rather than reproducing the Venetian composer’s use of echo effects, Birtwistle's piece tracks an independent path. The wind, brass and strings demonstrate strongly distinct identities, while the percussion underpins each musical family providing the continuum. 

This film was recorded as part of the London Sinfonietta's In Portrait: Harrison Birtwistle concert on 24 May 2012. Filmed live at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre.