Berkeley, Michael - Strange Meeting

A work in three contrasting sections, each reflecting a mood of Wilfred Owen's poem of the same name. The first depicts the 'strangeness' of the meeting ' . . . Down some profound tunnel', and the second portrays the viciousness of war with violent, jabbing rhythms. This leads directly into a concluding chorale-like movement in which a kind of peace is attained, echoing the closing words of the poem 'Let us sleep now . . .'.