Oliver Knussen's best-known compositions include three symphonies, concertos for horn and violin, several song cycles, and the operas 'Where the Wild Things Are' and 'Higglety Pigglety Pop!', written with Maurice Sendak.
Composer Biography
Oliver Knussen, born in Glasgow in 1952, is a pre-eminent composer-conductor who has held positions with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
Recording & Production
This album features recordings from various locations and dates, including the CBSO Centre in Birmingham, BBC Maida Vale in London, and a live performance at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.
Interpretation
Oliver Knussen has developed close collaborations with the performers on this album, including Leila Josefowicz, Claire Booth, Ryan Wigglesworth, and Huw Watkins, who have come to his work on their own terms.
Composition History
Some of Oliver Knussen's works take a long time to reach their final form, while others, like 'Prayer Bell Sketch' and 'Requiem', were composed relatively quickly.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Oliver Knussen's music is characterized by an exceptional clarity of both musical thought and execution, with a refined harmonic world, subtlety, and instrumental color.
