Last modified on Sat 1 May 2021 04.46 EDT The composer Elaine Hugh-Jones, who has died aged 93, made a striking contribution to English song. In her survey New Vocal Repertory (vol 1, 1986), the soprano Jane Manning wrote of the pleasure of discovering a composer with a complete mastery of voice and piano writing: “Although they are firmly based on a traditional musical style – that of English post-Romantic – the songs are not in the least derivative [but show] a wonderful assurance and freshness of approach and an exceptionally sensitive response to words.” The works in question were six settings of poems by Walter de la Mare, written between 1966 and 1985. Two more, from 1988-89, went on to make a set of eight, and they have been broadcast several times on BBC Radio 3.