Work for Oboe Violin Viola and Cello. Parts available: CH56341.This quartet was commissioned by the Institute of Contemporary Arts and written in the autumn of 1967. It is dedicated to Lady Norton and is the second of LennoxBerkeley’s three works written with the oboist the late Janet Craxton in mind the other two being his Sonatina OP 61 and Sinfonia Concertante OP 84.The work begins with a fairly extended introduction leading without a breakinto an Allegro. The whole composition is based on the internal of a third (sometime major sometimes minor) which is heard in the opening phrase of the introduction and again in the main theme of the Allegro though here in atotally different context. The allegro is in more or less traditional sonata form. The middle movement is a kind of Scherzo growing out of a rhythmical figure for the strings and a rapid arpeggio (major and minor chords) forthe oboe. This is a Presto; a more relaxed middle section corresponding to the Trio in a classical work is followed by a much shortened version of the Scherzo. The last movement is brief but very slow all four instrumentstaking up in turn a gently rocking figure that moves to and fro between two notes always a major or minor third apart. The music becomes more animated but returns to the opening figure and dies away each instrument droppingout one after the other leaving the cello alone in the last bar.

Par VANHAL JOHANN BAPTIST. Editeur(s) d'origine: Mulgan, Denis M./ Répertoire / Hautbois, Violon, Alto et Violoncelle

In his Financial Times review Max Loppert says '. . .the title aptly reflects both the songful character of the musical invention and the relationship of wind solo to string trio. . .a composition of great charm and precise character; its other virtues of well-found proportions distinctive harmonic movement and secure control of incident must not be allowed to sound negative ones.' 9th March 1981

Quartet in one movement Edition : study score Instrumentation : oboe, violin, viola and cello Date of Composition: 1932 Duration : 15' Number of Pages : 22 Series : Hawkes Pocket Scores HPS 10