Hyperion Records

The Palm Court Waltz was originally an orchestral piece written for an entertainment put on at the Coliseum in London by Richard Buckle some years ago. The arrangement for piano duet was commissioned from me by Mr Burnet Pavitt.

The Waltz is not exactly a parody, though rhythms and melodies very close to the Viennese model will be recognised. I have tried to incorporate these into my own musical idiom, rather in the manner of Ravel, but not, I feel, nearly so well!

from notes by Sir Lennox Berkeley © 1983