Phoenix Mass, written in 1965, was originally intended for school choir, but rapidly turned into a much bigger and more demanding work, incorporating English as well as Latin Mass texts (notably in the Gloria) and mixing spoken phrases with sung; it's scored, similarly to Stravinsky's Mass, for chorus and brass ensemble.

Two other early works are The World's Winter - a chilling Tennyson setting written for soprano Jane Manning and the Nash Ensemble - and Paean, a forceful and virtuosic piano work in three sections.

These three works are accompanied by Payne's 2006 Horn Trio, commissioned to celebrate a diamond wedding.

Phoenix Mass, Paean and The World’s Winter have been transferred from LP in the absence of the original masters. The Horn Trio was recorded live for BBC Radio 3.

Contents:
- Phoenix Mass
BBC Singers · Philip Jones Brass Ensemble / John Poole

- Paean
Susan Bradshaw (piano)
 
- The World’s Winter
Jane Manning (soprano) · The Nash Ensemble / Lionel Friend

- Horn Trio
Jane’s Minstrels