“That George Benjamin at 47 is one of the most formidable composers of his generation should come as no surprise. A British prodigy, he began playing the piano at 7 and was soon after composing. His first work for orchestra was given its premiere at a BBC Proms concert when Mr. Benjamin was 20… Stylistically, Mr. Benjamin’s music, while bursting with personality, has always been hard to pin down. The pungent chromaticism of Berg, the astringent atonality of Boulez, a feeling for French sonorities, spectral colorings — these elements and more permeate his works.”