"My operas and my theatre works are very formal pieces"

Harrison Birtwistle is a British author and one of the most prominent figures in modern-day music. His works are understood for their complexity and official structure. This quote is a reflection of his compositional design. He is stating that his operas and theatre works are really official pieces, meaning that they are made up in an extremely structured and orderly method. He is stressing the importance of type in his works, and how it is a crucial element in his structures. He is likewise highlighting the reality that his works are not just random collections of notes, however rather thoroughly crafted pieces of music. His works are often seen as difficult and challenging to understand, but this quote reveals that there is an approach to his madness. He is showing that his works are made up with a function and that there is a particular level of sophistication to them. His works are not just random collections of notes, however rather thoroughly crafted pieces of music.