The music of British composer Sir Lennox Berkeley looks forward to receiving some much needed appreciation in a new album to be released on 4 February.
The album is designed both to pay homage to Lennox and to acknowledge the pivotal role played by Paris in his life and development as a composer.
It combines works by Berkeley with his Parisian near-contemporaries Poulenc and Lili Boulanger, the younger sister of Nadia.
France played a vital part in Berkeley’s development, apart from being a Francophile, circumstances brought him into contact with Nadia Boulanger, with whom he studied formally during the years 1926 – 1932, which Berkeley spent in Paris. While there he also met Francis Poulenc, among other artistic figures.
Performed by the young British-born soloist Emmanuel Bach, who is fast gaining recognition in the UK and abroad, together with South-African born pianist Jenny Stern, this CD includes Lennox Berkeley’s Sonatina for Violin and Piano; Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano; Elegy and Toccata, for Violin and Piano alongside works by Lili Boulanger and Francis Poulenc.
Lennox in Paris is produced by Willowhayne Records, catalogue number: WHR070 – you can order the album online.