Berkeley Elegy and Toccata for Violin and Piano (Chester Music)

Berkeley, Elegy and Toccata for Violin and Piano (Chester Music)

Sir Lennox Randal Francis Berkeley (12 May 1903 – 26 December 1989) was an English composer.

He composed Elegy and Toccata for violin and piano in 1950.  They were originally published separately but they complement each other beautifully and form a logical pairing.  Both pieces were dedicated to the violinist, Frederick Grinke for whom Berkeley had a life-long regard.  It has the expected characteristics of style commonly associated with the titles Elegy and Toccata.  Berkeley's voice is evident in the lyricism of the Elegy and the energy of the Toccata.  The bitter-sweet harmony – so often resulting from major-minor chords – and the sudden surprising chromatic slips are totally individual.

As performed by violinist Roberts Balanas and pianist Andrew Gallacher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvlozOCaAek