Throughout his career, our columnist has relied on the music of poetry to provide grace, wisdom and even a distraction from the sounds of war

Works by Gesualdo & composers of Naples Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini; Monica Piccinini (soprano); Maria Chiara Gallo (mezzo) et al Naïve OP8677 62:13 mins Don’t be deceived – Carlo Gesualdo

Westminster Hall’s 14th-century carved angels were the inspiration behind woodcarver William Barsley’s own celestial choir

At the height of his popularity during the early 20th century, Rudyard Kipling emerged as the standout literary star of his generation. Adored by the British reading public for his vivid storytelling

“And from the castle in the water meadow ...

On the morning of 15 November 2007, Morten Lauridsen stepped onto a podium in the East Room of the White House to receive the National Medal of Arts from president George W Bush. He was 64 at the time