Arthur Bliss wrote in his biography “To us musicians in Cambridge Vaughan Williams was the magical name; his Songs of Travel were on all pianos’. The songs reflect a significant advance from the parlour song to the art song, conceived in the tradition of the early Romantic questing songcycle of love and loss, all beautifully infused with the composer’s hallmark folksong influences and modal harmonies.

Both Browne and Butterworth were killed in the First World War, and these enchanting songs are among the tragically minimal legacy they left behind. Somervell enjoyed a longer, more prolific life, and it is for his contribution to English song that he is best-loved.

A collection of delightful songs by some of Britain’s most endeared composers, all radiantly performed by one of Britain’s best-loved baritones, Christopher Maltman.