The more you look at nature the more you see, and over time I have become fascinated with some of the ‘unsung heroes’ of nature: weeds, mosses, lichens, etc. This piece was written partly inspired by the activities of the Moss Worlds Project at the University of Manchester (https://mossworlds.co.uk/) and by Robin Wall Kimmerer’s wonderful book, ‘Gathering Moss’. With this in mind, the precise source of inspiration that kickstarted the composition of this piece was a limestone rock in the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, beautifully endowed with the plants listed in the title of this piece. Moss is fascinating, and can be found virtually anywhere where things grow, even in deserts, quietly getting on with its business, and in harmony with fellow organisms. In this piece, the instruments and voice do the same, revealing unexpected complexities.
Recording Notes
Concert recording, 22 September 2025, Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Performer Credits
Sarah Keirle-Dos Santos - soprano, Sarah Fore - flute, Imogen Morris - oboe, Lucy Thompson - clarinet, Kimberly Wong - harp, Richard Whalley - piano, Naomi Isaacs - violin, Catrin Owen - cello
