Recordings of Lennox Berkeley's music
Recordings of Serenade are found on the following CD albums: (clear search)
English Music for Strings
During the 1930s, Bliss, Britten, and Berkeley all contributed major works to the repertoire for string orchestra, following in the footsteps of Elgar and Vaughan Williams. They are joined on this album by Frank Bridge whose Lament was composed during the First World War. This is the fourth recording by John Wilson with his award-winning Sinfonia of London. Bliss composed Music for Strings after he had completed the film score for Korda’s Things to Come, driven by his desire to compose a piece of ‘pure music’, expressing his own ideas rather than those of others.
Commissioned in May 1937 by Boyd Neel for the Salzburg Festival that summer, Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge was composed at great speed, and helped to establish the young composer’s international reputation. Dedicated to his teacher, Frank Bridge, the theme is taken from the second of Bridge’s Three Idylls for string quartet.
Lennox Berkeley composed his Serenade for Strings at Snape Maltings, where he was living with Britten in 1938 / 39. By the time of its completion the nation was at war and the music seems to reflect the composer’s anxious mood as the world faced an uncertain future.
The album is recorded in Surround-Sound, and available as a hybrid SACD. The front cover features a painting by Edward Wadsworth of Bliss’s house, Pen Pits, built for him in 1935.
Synopsis by Chandos Records
- Serenade (op. 12)
Performed by the Sinfonia of London & John Wilson (conductor)
English String Music
Format: CDLabel: IMP Carlton Classics
Release date: October 2011
Catalogue no: LC 8747
- Serenade (op. 12)
Performed by the English Sinfonia & John Farrer (conductor)
Celebrating 50 Years - Devoted to British Music
Format: CDAn A-Z of British music in two volumes, four discs apiece: William Alwyn to John Ireland, and Gordon Jacob to William Wordsworth? It could only be Lyrita, celebrating 50 years devoted to British Music. These are highlights from Richard Itter's catalogue. The recording quality is remarkably consistent, often outstanding; the notes are engaging. These two volumes are eloquent reminders of the gaps there'd be in the catalogue without the dedication of everyone involved with Lyrita. - Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3 CD Review
- Serenade (op. 12)
Berkeley Conducts Berkeley
Format: CD & Digital downloadIn this re-issue of recordings of Berkeley's orchestral works, the composer conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra himself. Note that only the Canzonetta from the Sinfonia Concertante is included. The CD appears thanks to a collaboration between record labels Lyrita and Nimbus. Audio samples courtesy of Lyrita Recorded Edition.
- Mont Juic (op. 9, Collaboration with Britten)
- 1) Andante maestoso
- 2) Allegro grazioso
- 3) Andante moderato
- 4) Allegro molto
- Serenade (op. 12)
- Divertimento in Bb (op. 18)
- 1) Prelude
- 2) Nocturne
- 3) Scherzo
- 4) Rondo
- Partita (op. 66)
- Symphony no. 3 (op. 74)
- Sinfonia Concertante (op. 84)
Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra & Lennox Berkeley (conductor)
Listen to audio from Berkeley Conducts Berkeley...
Lennox & Michael Berkeley: The Berkeley Edition, Vol. 1
Format: CD & Digital downloadLabel: Chandos Records
Release date: January 2002
Catalogue no: CHAN 9981
Chandos Records have produced a whole series of CDs each consisting of works by Lennox Berkeley and his son Michael Berkeley. Four have been recorded by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Richard Hickox. Each of the first four volumes include one of Lennox Berkeley's Symphonies, so that taken together they include all four of them; volume five features the Piano Concerto.
- Serenade (op. 12)
- Symphony no. 1 (op. 16)
Performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales & Richard Hickox (conductor)
Spirit of England II
Format: CD- Serenade (op. 12)
Performed by the English String Orchestra & William Boughton (conductor)
English String Music
Format: CDLabel: Imp Masters
Release date: September 1993
- Serenade (op. 12)
Performed by the English Sinfonia & John Farrer (conductor)
Tippett, Berkeley & Berkeley
Format: CD- Serenade (op. 12)
- 1) Vivace
- 2) Andantino
- 3) Allegro moderato
- 4) Lento
Performed by the English String Orchestra & William Boughton (conductor)
Listen to audio from Tippett, Berkeley & Berkeley...
English Music for Strings
Format: CDLabel: Collins Classics
Release date: January 1991
Catalogue no: 12342
- Serenade (op. 12)
Performed by the Acedemy of St. Martin's in the Fields & Kenneth Sillito (conductor)