The Somm label must be commended for their releases of British music, both the underheard and the historic. Such delights have included piano music of Vaughan Williams and an historic live recording by the much-loved Kathleen Ferrier, recently praised within these pages. This new disc is devoted to choral and vocal works by Penelope Thwaites and is another excellent release.

Thwaites is best known as a Grainger specialist both on disc for Chandos and locally for her generous recitals of the past. Now we turn to another side of this gifted musician and celebrate her work as a composer. From Five Continents focusses on melodious compositions, both secular and sacred, which are receiving their first recorded performances. The album opens with a set of four attractive psalms that would easily fit...