 Her interpretation of Jean Sibelius's songs was also admired.On 5 October 1938 Desmond was one of the original 16 singers in Ralph Vaughan Williams's "Serenade to Music," the recording of which, made at EMI's Abbey Road studio shortly thereafter, has been transferred to compact disc by several companies.Earlier, in 1932, Vaughan Williams had dedicated to her his "Magnificat" (for contralto solo, women's choir, solo flute and orchestra.