Hymn For Shakespeare's Birthday (SATB/Organ)

This anthem was commissioned by Sam Wanamaker of the Globe Theatre Trust and first performed at Southwark Cathedral by the Exultate Singers under Garrett O'Brien on 23rd April 1972.

In spite of Berkeley's adherence toRomanCatholic traditions the hymn is close to Anglican patterns and shows Berkeley's return to diatonic materials after a more exploratory approach in the 1960s. There is even a melodic blue not, or false relation, also found insomeof Berkeley's earlier music as well as later pieces such as the sixth Prelude and a prominent motif in Nelson. The Irish-born C. Day-Lewis (1904-72) was poet laureate from 1968 untilhisdeath.
        
        Peter Dickinson