Chanson Irresponsable takes as its starting point the anarchic and eclectic nature of the song of the sedge warbler. First an instumental opening establishes the bird's musical habitat. In spring the Sedge Warblers arrive, represented by the two vocalists, Kate Westbrook and Matthew Sharp, and the two clarinettists, Chris Biscoe and Pete Whyman.
There are basically two original texts by Kate Westbrook, one about the birds strutting territorial display, and the other about nest building and procreation. These words are heard in English, Italian, French and German, each time in a different musical setting.
Towards the close of the piece, one sedge warbler, singing philosophically until the end, is killed by a cat. A funeral hymn is followed by a New Orleans-style parade. At the end of summer the remaining birds sing one last song and are gone.
2 CD's
CD1 Tracks 1-8
CD2 Tracks 9-14
Music - Mike Westbrook; Texts - Kate Westbrook
Kate Westbrook - voice
Matthew Sharp - voice
Chris Biscoe - alto clarinet, alto saxophone
Pete Whyman - clarinet, bass clarinet, alto and soprano saxophones
Stuart Brooks - trumpet, flugelhorn
Jane Hanna - french horn
Karen Street - tenor saxophone, accordion
Dave Bitelli - baritone saxophone, clarinet
Mark Wilson - violin
Neil McTaggart - violin
David Lasserson - viola
Chris Allan - cello
Tim Harries - bass
Sebastian Rochford - drums
Mike Westbrook - piano, MD |
