Lennox Berkeley

Serenade for Strings Op. 12

A new edition of one of Berkeley's most frequently performed works, in this the composer's centenary year. This work is a classic in the repertoire of British Music for this medium. The first movement has the sparkling elegance of Mozart whom Berkeley idolised, but also the driving rhythm of a Bach Brandenburg Concerto; the second is a serenade; the third a kind of scherzo; but the final movement seems to reflect the tragic war years with a slow reminiscence of the opening theme at the very end. A critical commentary by Berkeley expert, Peter Dickinson, is provided.