Lennox Berkeley ‘Introduction & Allegro’ . This was one two pieces for solo violin written by Berkeley in 1949. It’s dedicated to the young Ivry Gitlis. In many ways it is a portrait of Gitlis’ playing, always full of wit, colour, and whiplash intelligence.
I was lucky enough to give one of the last concerts that Berkeley attended, in his 85th birthday year, in 1988. when I was 21.  Neil Thomson and I played his extraordinary violin concerto at St James Piccadilly and were overwhelmed that he came – one of my fondest memories.
I have been playing this piece since I was 18, so it’s a really pleasure to return to it after all these years.