MONDAY'S song recital featuring music of eminent 20th Century English composers was given by Julie Kennard (soprano) and Christopher Robinson (piano), alternated with readings by Cheryl Pay.

Kennard's high, admirably controlled voice was heard to maximum effect in the chosen works and Robinson's accompaniment enhanced with his intelligent and sympathetic understanding of the singer's needs.

Britten's song cycle On this Island set to words by Auden showed the ability the young composer had in his empathy with words. Nocturne was atmospheric, with repetitive phrases to emphasise the perpetual state of slumber and As it is plenty dominated by jazzy, rhythmic accompaniment, ended on an amusing phrase.

In the group of Bridge songs All things that we clasp was sung tenderly, with some distinctively covered head notes and the last long-held note of The Last Invocation was delicately perceived.

Lay a Garland, in gaunt and hollow mood, by Geoffrey Bush combined awkward vocal jumps with a haunting pedestrian piano part.

Songs by Peter Warlock included Autumn Twilight, composed for the lower darkest register of the voice, against a richly textured accompaniment, achieving an evocative mood.

For the final songs, by William Walton, satisfying interpretations were due to the rapport between the musicians. Through Gilded Trellises was a dramatic representation of Spanish rhythm and imagery and Old Sir Faulk captured the crazy American syncopated idiom.

Readings were of Keats, Laurie Lee and Siegfried Sassoon.