Gustav Holst's reputation has steadily grown since his death in 1934, with recognition now extending to his opera and choral works beyond his popular suite, The Planets.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Gustav Holst's daughter, Imogen Holst, described how her father, despite being low in spirit, realized the need for warmth in his own work after hearing Schubert's C major Quintet.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Gustav Holst shared influences with his friend Vaughan Williams, including folk-song, Tudor composers, and the poetry of Whitman, adding an interest in Near Eastern philosophy to his own work.
Composition History
The Japanese Suite was composed at the request of Japanese dancer Michio Ito, who whistled ancient Japanese melodies for Holst to use as he didn't know any.
Performer Biography
Sir Adrian Boult, who conducts on this album, premiered the orchestral version of Hammersmith and the Scherzo, describing the latter as "fiendishly difficult to play."
You might also enjoy...
Ung: Inner Voices / McPhee: Tabuh-Tabuhan / Harrison: Suite for Symphonic Strings
McPhee: Tabuh-tabuhan - Ung: Inner Voices - Harrison: Suite for Symphonic Strings
Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Suite No. 3 - Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol - Tcherepnin: La Princesse lointaine
Eric Coates: Orchestral Works, Vol. 4
Strauss, Debussy & Ligeti: Orchestral Works
Ketelbey: In A Monastery Garden / Chal Romano
Ketelbey: In A Monastery Garden / Chal Romano
Ketèlbey: Bells across the Meadows
Alfven: Swedish Rhapsodies Nos. 1-3 / En Skargardssagen / Gustav Ii Adolf (Excerpt)
Anderson, L.: Orchestral Music, Vol. 4 - Irish Suite / Scottish Suite / Alma Mater / A Christmas Festival
