Much of Britten's choral music requires great vocal dexterity and suppleness. Polyphony continue to receive great critical acclaim for their performances so are the perfect group to record this repertoire.

Included on this recording is the last choral work for professionals which Britten was to complete—Sacred and Profane—a collection of eight medieval lyrics for voices in five parts (SSATB). Also included is the Chorale after an old French Carol whose text is by W H Auden (a close friend of Britten's). The Chorale's text was part of an unachieved Christmas Oratorio on which Britten and Auden intended to collaborate.

The seven settings of poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins entitled A.M.D.G. were never performed in the composer's lifetime and indeed had to wait until 1984 for their first performance.