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Led by Stephan Meier, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Soprano Anna Dennis Premiere Julian Anderson's Life Cycle

Oct. 20, 2025

On September 21, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, led by Stephan Meier, and soprano Anna Dennis performed the world premiere of the complete version of Julian Anderson’s Life Cycle – eight songs that explore themes of identity, memory, belonging, life and death.

Anderson draws on poetry from across time and cultures, including English, French, Spanish, German and Gaelic traditions. Poets include Ahmed Essyad, Bertolt Brecht, Stéphane Mallarmé, Raffael Alberti, Derick Thomson, Friedrich Nietzsche, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Tom Philips. Inspired by a connection to family history and a vision of life beyond national borders, Life Cycle reflects the composer’s own experiences "as a traveller in search of home beyond nationality." 

Listen to Julian Anderson's Poetry Nearing Silence (1997):

Poetry Nearing Silence/Julian Anderson/Musicians of Yellow Barn

To learn more about Julian Anderson, visit schott-music.com and fabermusic.com.

Julian Anderson
Life Cycle (2017-2025)
for soprano and ensemble

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