From the pole-dancing, expletive-strewn Anna Nicole to the lung-popping underwater wonders of Wozzeck, the Royal Opera House’s music director relives five sublime shows from 22 rollercoaster years

The Nash and BBC Singers selected poignant vocal and instrumental works in memory of the late composer, as well as the premiere of a new Simon Holt work honouring sculptor Richard Serra

This London Sinfonietta tribute concert, conducted by Martyn Brabbins, was a poignant occasion that showcased both the excoriating power and tranquillity of Birtwistle’s music

A lifetime’s experience tells as Zubin Mehta graces the Proms along with Australia’s finest, while a stellar tag team of friends and colleagues pay tribute to Harrison Birtwistle

Hodges’s cool virtuosity emphasises the links between two composers of muscular intricacy and resonance

Over the coming week, the Guardian will select the greatest culture since 2000, carefully compiled by critics and editors. We begin with a countdown of defining classical music compositions, from X-rated opera to high-tech string quartets

This chalk-and-cheese bill of modern titans Stravinsky, Birtwistle and Adams was brought to life with exceptional clarity and precision

Oliver Knussen conducted, with Birtwistle challenging the astonishing virtuosity of pianists Tamara Stefanovich and Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Daniel Barenboim led the peerless German orchestra through two Proms concerts, including a spectacular performance of Harrison Birtwistle’s new work Deep Time