English composer Sir Lennox Berkeley (1903-1989) started to compose relatively late in life. His mother was French and his early work shows a French orientation. Studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris between 1927 and 1932, and Boulanger remined his friend for the rest of her life. Berkeley maintained his contacts with French music and culture and for many years he had a small apartment in Paris, where he also became friendly with Poulenc. Back in England he met Benjamin Britten who, despite being ten years younger, exercised a great influence on him.