Written in memory of the composer's mother, Will Todd's Songs of Peace is a six-movement work about love and loss. Two of the movements are scored for upper voices. Although it is not a conventional Requiem, it might be appropriate in a memorial context, but should by no means be confined to it: in many ways it is a very 'life-affirming' work, characterised by Todd's recognisable jazz-infused harmonic language, memorable melodies, and powerful and personal texts.

Songs of Peace is designed a...