Berkeley, Michael (1948- )

English composer, son of Lennox Berkeley. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London, with his father, and with Richard Rodney Bennett. In 1982 his oratorio Or Shall We Die? was performed in London: it contains a vivid protest at the threat of nuclear war. He was composer in residence at the London College of Music 1987-88.

Works Opera Baa-baa Black Sheep (after Kipling; 1993).

Orchestral Meditations, for strings (1976), oboe concerto (1977), symphonies Uprising (1980), Gregorian Variations, for orchestra (1982); cello concerto (1982).

Chamber Elegy for flute and strings (1993); Fantasia Concertante, for chamber orchestra; string trio (1978); violin sonata; string quartet (1981); clarinet quintet (1983).

Vocal The Wild Winds, for soprano and chamber orchestra (1978), At the Round Earth's Imagin'd Corners (text by Donne) for soloists, chorus, and organ (1980).