The New Westbrook Orchestra
The first broadcast of a new work by Mike and Kate Westbrook commissioned by Radio 3. Written for a 15-piece ensemble, Chanson Irresponsable takes as its starting point the song of the sedge warbler. Texts by Kate Westbrook , translated into French, German and Italian, capture moments in the life of this migrant bird, with each translation receiving a different musical treatment.
Matthew Sharp and Kate Westbrook
(voices), Peter Whyman and Chris Biscoe (clarinets/saxophones), Dave Bitelli (clarinet/saxophone), Karen Street
(accordion), Stuart Brooks (trumpet), Jane Hanna (french horn), Mark Wilson and Neil McTaggart (violins), David Lasserson (viola), Chris Allen (cello), Tim Harries (double bass), Sebastian Roachford (percussion), director Mike Westbrook (piano)