Elizabeth Poston’s long and distinguished career included significant work for the BBC during the Second World War, where she performed as a respected pianist and later composed scores for numerous radio and television productions. Describing herself as ‘a littlemonger’ who never wanted to write big pieces, Poston’s supreme talent for composing vocal and choral miniatures is fully represented in this recording, the first to be dedicated entirely to her work. Poston’s music reveals timeless melodic charm, a great sensitivity of word setting and her profound appreciation of ancient folk-song traditions.

Tom Winpenny and the St Albans Cathedral Choir have ably demonstrated their abilities in recordings such as Michael Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai Tolentini (8.574163): ‘Tom Winpenny certainly deserves praise for the skill and sensitivity with which he has evidently prepared and directed this music’. Winpenny has also directed St Albans Cathedral Girls Choir in the ‘utterly delightful’ recordings of music by Mendelssohn which can be heard on 8572836 (BBC Music Magazine).

Formed in 1996, the St Albans Abbey Girls Choir has broadcast Choral Evensong on BBC Radio 3, and has made several recordings for Naxos including music by Felix Mendelssohn (8572836) and, jointly with St Albans Cathedral Choir, two recordings of music by John Rutter (8572653 and 8573394).