The poetry of Denise Levertov (1923-1997) and of Zulfikar Ghose (born 1935) is the inspiration for the two Summer Songs by Rhian Samuel, first performed by tenor James Gilchrist and pianist William Vann at The Forge, Camden Town, on 10 May 2012 as part of the London English Song Festival.

Though Levertov chiefly explored themes of left-wing politics and of religion in her work, her poem ‘In Summer’ is a brief aubade, uncomplicated by philosophical overtones. Sunrise is observed with a pensive...