All the songs in The Voice of Desire are conversations between humans and birds. In each case the birds seem to have a more sophisticated viewpoint that their human hearers.One of the highlights is Written OnTerrestrial Things set in a dead landscape at the dead of winter. Suddenly a joyus thrush melody breaks out it's ecstatic expression is completely at odds with human perceptions of such a dismal evening has nature somethingto remind us if only we'd listen. The song cycle was commissioned by the BBC for Alice Coote and first performed by her and Julius Drake (piano) in a BBC Proms Chamber Music concert in London on 11 August 2003.

Handel's setting of the text I Know That My Redeemer Liveth is from his great Oratorio Messiah arranged as a solo song for Soprano voice.

Mozart 'Alleluia' arranged for high voice and piano in the key of F. From the motet Exultate Jubilate. Edited by Isobel Baillie.

In Handel’s Messiah this lilting air in 12/8 for Soprano is a breath of lightness and truth following the grandeur of The Lord Gave the Word. For the Soprano or mezzo who is not confident on a repeated high G this transposition to F minor allows the music to be the centre of attention.