Theme and Variations for guitar Op. 77 : an analysis and background of Lennox Berkeley’s brilliant composition for the guitar

Abstract: This essay on Lennox Berkeley’s Theme and Variations for Guitar serves as the written half of my final dissertation for my bachelor’s degree in classical music, following my studies for Peter Berlind Carlson at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm between the years 2011- 2014. The other half of this project consists of a studio recording and a concert performance of this piece that I have analysed. Originally, this paper was written in Swedish but also translated to English to serve as an academic writing sample for the Royal College of Music in London, necessary for approving my continued postgraduate studies there starting in September 2014. Other reasons for translating this paper to English is partly the piece’s English origin but also the lack of other available information on this beautiful composition for the guitar. Hopefully, this paper may be of help to guitarists and Berkeley enthusiasts in exploring this remarkable piece of music and Lennox Berkeley’s relationship to the guitar.