Short bio Michael Berkeley
Birthday:
1948 in London, England
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Contemporary
Full biography Michael Berkeley
Michael Berkeley is an English composer, broadcaster on music, and member of the House of Lords. Berkeley was born on May 29, 1948, and is the eldest son of the composer Sir Lennox Berkeley. He is also the godson of Benjamin Britten, a renowned composer in his own right. Berkeley's interests as a composer are wide-ranging, and he is known for works that appeal to both emotion and intellect.
As part of his tenure as Composer in Association to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales , Berkeley was commissioned to write three new works , including an anthem for the enthronement of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. He has also been involved in creating music for other occasions and commissions.
Berkeley has been recognized for his contributions to the field of music, and his 75th birthday was celebrated in May and June 2023 at the Elgar festival in Worcester and Malvern. His works have been played and recorded by many musicians and orchestras, and he continues to be a significant figure in contemporary music.
Compositions featuring Michael Berkeley
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | This Endernight, for chorus | 4:07 min | Choral | 2016 |
| 2 | Into the Ravine, oboe quintet | 18:11 min | Chamber Music | 2012 |
| 3 | Sonnet for Orpheus, song for voice & cello (from "Three Rilke Sonnets") | 7:26 min | Vocal Music | 2010 |
| 4 | For You, opera | 121:42 min | Opera | 2008 |
| 5 | Second Still Life, for oboe & harp | 6:12 min | Chamber Music | 2007 |
| 6 | Seven, for flute, oboe, clarinet, violin, cello, harp & tamtam | 8:23 min | Chamber Music | 2007 |
| 7 | Touch Light, for soprano, countertenor & string quintet | 7:35 min | Vocal Music | 2005 |
| 8 | Concerto for orchestra ("Seascapes") | 24:21 min | Concerto | 2004 |
| 9 | Abstract Mirror, for string quartet | 22:47 min | Chamber Music | 2002 |
| 10 | Jane Eyre, opera | 71:40 min | Opera | 2000 |
| 11 | The Garden of Earthly Delights, for orchestra | 21:04 min | Orchestral | 1998 |
| 12 | Secret Garden, for large orchestra | 14:19 min | Orchestral | 1997 |
| 13 | Winter Fragments, for voice, flute, oboe, clarinet, string trio & harp | 15:02 min | Vocal Music | 1996 |
| 14 | Magnetic Field, for string quartet | 14:31 min | Chamber Music | 1995 |
| 15 | Catch Me If You Can, for woodwind quintet | 14:00 min | Chamber Music | 1994 |
| 16 | Viola Concerto | 16:15 min | Concerto | 1994 |
| 17 | Baa Baa Black Sheep--A Jungle Tale, opera | 115:05 min | Opera | 1993 |
| 18 | Concerto for clarinet | 19:40 min | Concerto | 1991 |
| 19 | Fierce Tears, for harp, oboe & piano No. 2 | 9:55 min | Chamber Music | 1990 |
| 20 | Organ Concerto | 20:18 min | Concerto | 1987 |
| 21 | A Mosaic for Father Popieluszko, for violin & piano | 13:35 min | Chamber Music | 1985 |
| 22 | Clarinet Quintet, for clarinet & string quartet | 14:03 min | Chamber Music | 1983 |
| 23 | Fierce Tears, for harp, oboe & piano, No. 1 | 7:07 min | Chamber Music | 1983 |
| 24 | Cello Concerto | 16:54 min | Concerto | 1983 |
| 25 | Impromptu for guitar | 3:10 min | Chamber Music | 1983 |
| 26 | Sonata in One Movement for guitar | 12:48 min | Chamber Music | 1982 |
| 27 | Gregorian Variations for orchestra | 17:06 min | Orchestral | 1982 |
| 28 | Moods (3), for solo oboe | 9:18 min | Chamber Music | 1979 |
| 29 | Worry Beads, for guitar | 4:38 min | Chamber Music | 1979 |
| 30 | Lament for guitar | 5:57 min | Chamber Music | 1979 |
| 31 | Among the Lilies, for ensemble | 6:55 min | Chamber Music | 1978 |
| 32 | Concerto for oboe & string orchestra | 27:09 min | Concerto | 1976 |
| 33 | Strange Meeting, for piano | 15:07 min | Keyboard | 1974 |
| 34 | Cradle Song, for chorus & organ (or piano) | 1:41 min | Choral | 196? |
| 35 | Echo: hommage à Francis Poulenc, for voice & piano | 3:30 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 36 | A Dark Waltz, for violin & piano | 2:17 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 37 | Advent Anthem, for chorus & organ | 9:28 min | Choral | - |
| 38 | Veilleuse, for violin & piano | 10:10 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 39 | Variations on 'Lovely Joan', Variation 3. A Frolic for Lovely Joan, for string orchestra (part of a collaborative work) | 3:47 min | Orchestral | - |
| 40 | Tristessa, for English horn, viola & orchestra | 22:02 min | Concerto | - |
| 41 | Concerto for horn & string orchestra (revised version, 1994) | 20:54 min | Concerto | - |
| 42 | Coronach, for strings | 9:15 min | Orchestral | - |
| 43 | Snake for oboe solo | 4:46 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 44 | Eight Motets | 18:38 min | Choral | - |
| 45 | Flighting for clarinet solo | 3:12 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 46 | Gethsemane Fragment, for string orchestra | 10:42 min | Orchestral | - |
| 47 | Quintet for piano & strings " For the Savage Messiah" | 12:51 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 48 | Pere du Doux Repos. . . | 4:11 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 49 | Keening for sax & piano | 12:15 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 50 | Or Shall We Die? | 48:20 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 51 | Nettles, for voice & piano | 6:04 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 52 | Music from Chaucer for brass ensemble | 3:51 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Michael Berkeley
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Michael Berkeley, Fleur Barron, Berkeley Ensemble, Dominic Grier – Winter Fragments: Chamber Music By Michael Berkeley(CD, Album) | 2018 | Resonus Classics |
| 2 |  |
Lennox & Michael Berkeley, The Marian Consort, Berkeley Ensemble, David Wordsworth – Stabat Mater: Sacred Choral Music(CD, Album) | 2016 | Delphian |
| 3 |  |
Michael Berkeley, Ian McEwan, Music Theatre Wales, Michael Rafferty – For You(2×CD, Album) | 2010 | Signum Classics |
| 4 |  |
Michael Berkeley, Paul Patterson / Heather Harper • David Wilson-Johnson • London Symphony Chorus & Orchestra • Richard Hickox • London Philharmonic Choir • Owain Arwel Hughes – Or Shall We Die? • Missa Brevis(CD, Compilation) | 2007 | EMI Classics |
| 5 |  |
Lennox Berkeley, Michael Berkeley, Kathryn Stott, Howard Shelley, The BBC National Orchestra Of Wales, Richard Hickox – The Berkeley Edition, Volume 6(CD, Album) | 2007 | Chandos |
| 6 |  |
Lennox Berkeley, Michael Berkeley - Chilingirian String Quartet, Thomas Carroll – Chamber Works For Strings(CD, Album) | 2006 | Chandos |
| 7 |  |
Michael Berkeley - Chorus Of Opera North · English Northern Philharmonia · Paul Daniel – Baa Baa Black Sheep - A Jungle Tale (Original Premiere Recording)(2×CD, Album, Reissue) | 2004 | Chandos |
| 8 |  |
Lennox Berkeley, Michael Berkeley, Margaret Fingerhut – Piano Works By Lennox And Michael Berkeley(CD, Album) | 2004 | Chandos |
| 9 |  |
Lennox And Michael Berkeley - Craig Ogden – Guitar Works(CD, Album) | 2004 | Chandos |
| 10 |  |
Lennox And Michael Berkeley - Catherine Wyn-Rogers · Howard Shelley · BBC National Orchestra Of Wales · Richard Hickox – The Berkeley Edition Volume 5(CD, Album) | 2004 | Chandos |
| 11 |  |
Lennox Berkeley, Michael Berkeley, Richard Hickox – The Berkeley Edition, Volume 4 - Soloists(CD, Album) | 2004 | Chandos |
| 12 |  |
Lennox Berkeley, Michael Berkeley, Richard Hickox – The Berkeley Edition Volume 3 | 2003 | Chandos |
| 13 |  |
Michael Berkeley - The Music Theatre Wales Ensemble, Michael Rafferty – Jane Eyre(CD, Album) | 2002 | Chandos |
| 14 |  |
Lennox & Michael Berkeley - Nicholas Daniel, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales, Richard Hickox – Symphony No. 3 · Sinfonia Concertante · Oboe Concerto · Secret Garden(CD, Album) | 2002 | Chandos |
| 15 |  |
Lennox Berkeley, Michael Berkeley, David Pyatt, The BBC National Orchestra Of Wales, Richard Hickox – Symphony No.1 · Serenade · Coronach · Horn Concerto(CD, Album) | 2002 | Chandos |
| 16 |  |
Marjan Mozetich / Michael Berkeley / George Crumb - Chamber Music Ensembles Of The Royal Conservatory Of Ghent – Contemporary Chamber Music(CD, Album) | 1996 | René Gailly International Productions |
| 17 |  |
Michael Berkeley, Paul Daniel, Opera North – Baa Baa Black Sheep(2×CD, Album) | 1995 | Collins Classics |
| 18 |  |
Emma Johnson, Henry Herford, Siân Edwards, Northern Sinfonia, Michael Berkeley – Emma Johnson Plays Michael Berkeley Clarinet Concerto(CD, Mini-Album, Stereo) | 1993 | ASV Digital |
| 19 |  |
Sir Michael Tippett / Sir Lennox Berkeley / Michael Berkeley - William Boughton, English String Orchestra – Corelli Fantasia / Little Music For Strings / Serenade / Coronach(CD, Stereo, Ambisonic) | 1992 | Nimbus Records |
| 20 |  |
Michael Berkeley, Heather Harper, David Wilson-Johnson, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox – Or Shall We Die?(CD, Album) | 1988 | Angel Records |
| 21 |  |
Michael Berkeley - The Nash Ensemble – Clarinet Quintet / Piano Trio / Fierce Tears / Chamber Symphony(LP, Stereo) | 1987 | Hyperion |
| 22 |  |
Gerald Finzi, Michael Berkeley, Keith Marshall (2), Amphion String Quartet – Interlude, For Oboe And String Quartet · Prelude And Fugue / String Trio · String Quartett · Three Moods(LP) | 1985 | Hyperion |
| 23 |  |
Michael Berkeley, Marco Pallis, Marcus Dods, The Southern Pro Arte, Nicholas Daniel, Christopher Underwood (2) – Concerto for Oboe and Strings; Nocturne de l'Ephemere (The Mayfly's Evensong)(LP) | 1984 | Pearl |
| 24 |  |
Kenneth Leighton / Michael Berkeley - Christopher Rathbone, Southern Pro Arte, Charles Peebles – Organ Concerto / Uprising / The Romance Of The Rose(LP) | 1984 | Hyperion |
| 25 |  |
Or Shall We Die?(LP, Album) | 1984 | His Master's Voice |
| 26 |  |
John Ireland, Lennox Berkeley, Michael Berkeley, Westminster Cathedral String Orchestra, Colin Mawby – Music for Strings(LP) | 1979 | Unicorn Records (3) |
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