"The Week Ahead – May 23-29"
The New York Times, May 23, 2010

Scroll halfway down the linked page for my brief preview of the program that the outstanding chamber ensemble Signal will present at Merkin Concert Hall on Thursday, May 27, pairing the U.S. debut of The Corridor, a dramatic scena by Harrison Birtwistle, with the world premiere of a Stabat Mater setting by Nico Muhly.

The Birtwistle piece, which I've heard in a radio broadcast from the Aldeburgh Festival last summer, strikes me as one of his most direct and communicative recent works. I was eager to hear it performed live, and curious as to how Muhly would approach sharing a bill with it. Alas, I'm unable to attend due to a conflicting assignment, and can only hope that a recording of Muhly's piece becomes available.

Reviews of the Birtwistle premiere:

Andrew Clements, The Guardian

Lynne Walker, The Independent

Rupert Christiansen, The Telegraph

Guy Dammann, The Times

Anne Ozorio, Opera Today

Gavin Dixon, MusicWeb International

Mike Reynolds, MusicalCriticism.com

Simon Thomas, musicOMH