The second release from Adam Binks’s enterprising, wholly digital Resonus Classics label comprises this absorbing anthology devoted to nine chamber, vocal and instrumental pieces by Judith Bingham (b 1952). A pupil of Alan Bush and Hans Keller, and one-time member of the BBC Singers, Bingham possesses the enivable gift of writing music of uncompromising integrity, resourcefulness and questing spirit that both consistently ignites the imagination and engages directly with the listener. Take Chapman’s Pool (1997) for piano trio: named after a cove on the Isle of Purbeck (but, to quote its creator, “as if sailed around, or flown over, as if in a dream”), it was conceived during her mother’s final weeks and packs a wealth of sharply distinctive invention and piercingly personal expression into its four-movement, 18-minute span; indeed, my estimation for this remarkable essay grows with each hearing.

Perhaps not surprisingly, given her former career as a professional singer, Bingham also has a genuine flair for word setting. Of the three striking vocal compositions here, I’m particularly taken with My Father’s Arms (2002) for soprano and string trio, a haunting and memorably compassionate treatment of three poems by Martin Shaw pondering the effects of war on children, be they innocent bystanders or actual combatants. Other stand-out offerings include The Moon over Westminster Cathedral (2003) and See and keep silent (2009) for solo piano and solo cello respectively, but prospective purchasers can rest assured that there are no duds in the entire programme.

Performances throughout are past praise in their stylish musicality and abundant dedication; the composer, who was present during the sessions, must have been delighted. Both sound and balance, too, are outstandingly truthful (I downloaded the 24-bit lossless FLAC files for optimum quality). Copious, user-friendly presentation sets the seal on an exemplary issue. Do investigate!