The closing event of the CrossCurrents Festival on February 20th will be a concert by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, including the premiere of a collaborative song cycle inspired by Berio’s Folk Songs and involving numerous composers: Michael Zev Gordon, Joe Cutler, Ed Bennett, Daria Kwiatkowska, Judith Weir, Richard Baker, Charlotte Bray, Howard Skempton, Federico Favali, Patrick Giguere, and yours truly. I’m delighted that Richard will conduct as well, and the wonderful Lucy Schaufer will sing. Great to be in such distinguished company!

My contribution is a short song on a dark poem by the ever amazing Alexandra Oliver, entitled Grocery Skipping Song. Details…