This book gives a comprehensive view of Harrison Birtwistle's music, considering its wider cultural significance.

Acknowledgements; Abbreviations and note on sources; Introduction; Part I. Theatres: 1. Violence; 2. Myth; 3. Music and drama; 4. Narratives and rituals; Part II. Roles: 5. Dramatic protagonists; 6. Ceremonial actors; 7. Negotiated identities; 8. Soloists; Part III. Texts: 9. Narration; 10. Fragment; 11. Phone; 12. Expression; Part IV. Times: 13. Time; 14. Pulse; 15. Journeys; Part V. Sections: 16. Verse; 17. Fragment; 18. Context; Part VI. Layers: 19. Melody; 20. Polyphony; 21. Strata; Part VII. Audiences; Notes; Chronological list of works; Bibliography; Index of works; General index.