Mike Westbrook: Chanson Irresponsable auf 2 CDs

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, represeted by the two vocalists, Kate Westbrook and Matthew Sharp, and the two clarinetists, Chris Biscoe and Peter 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 philisophically 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.