For Soprano and Orchestra.Natural History was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It was written for the voice of Dawn Upshaw. The first performance was given by these artists conducted by Sir Simon Rattle on14th January 1999 in Symphony Hall Boston. Orchestra 3 Flutes (3rd doubling piccolo and alto flute)3 Oboes3 Clarinets in Bb3 Bassoons (3rd doubling contrabassoon)4 Horns in F3 Trumpetsin CTubaPercussion (2 players)1. Cymbals Tubular Bells Suspended Cymbal Glockenspiel2. Glockenspiel (shared with first player) Snare Drum TamTam Xylophone Bamboo Chimes Metal Wind Chimes GongTimpaniHarpStrings

Song cycle for soprano and orchestra with poems by Robert Desnos. First performed at the BBC Proms in August 1991 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer with Solveig Kringleborn. Duration c.16 mins.