This work When Christ Was Born of Mary Free sets the words of a traditional carol dating from the 15th century sensitively in D minor for the verse moving to a more joyous F for the Chorus. Darke’s papers list this piece as having been scored for Soprano solo Chorus SATB and Piano. Harold E Darke was an English composer and Organist of international renown. Darke composed extensively for choir and Organ. In 1916 he established the Monday lunchtime Organ recitals at St Michael’s Cornhill which continue to this day the longest-running such series in the world. His setting of Christina Rosetti’s poem In the Bleak Midwinter created a melody and lilting Organ accompanimentthat has never fallen from favour. It is regarded as one of the greatest of Christmas carols.

The songs in this collection include the modern art song Legend of Rosemary (verse by Reginald Arkell) a bluesy Stop All The Clocks (W H Auden) the droll dizziness of desire The Bakery (13th Korean courtesan) creepy evocation of mother’s love juxtaposed with evil using three keys simultaneously in Infant Song (Charles Causley) and the poignant My Boy Jack haunting modal Harp Song of the Dane Women and a contemplation of wrongdoing using constantly shifting key and time signatures in Gertrude’s Prayer (all Rudyard Kipling).Contemporary English composer singer and Vocal coach Betty Roe is best known for her church and Choral music revue songs music for schools and solosongs like these. She has a particular affinity for setting poetry imaginatively and sensitively.