Better Know a Composer - Holst

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

  Holst was a British composer that wrote for many choral groups, operas, and orchestras. He was born into a musical family in England. Holst was the first of two children and had a younger sister, Nina. Hoslt's first mother, Clara, died at a young age, when he was only eight, due to not being strong enough to handle the childbirths.

  His father, Adolph, was a great piano player and would practice many hours through the day, which lead to some neglect of his family. Holst's father also taught piano, and actually this is how he met Clara, his first wife. After her death, he actually married another one of his students, Mary Stone.

  Holst was always interested in music. Although he hated practicing the violin, as soon as he could reach the keyboard he started practicing the piano. His father tried to make him into a great piano player, but due to some physical problems that made his body weak, he would never be able to endure the long hours of practice.

  As he grew older he tried composition, but to no avail, he didn't get accepted into the Royal College of Music, or any other London schools. In 1892 though, Holst composed a two-act opera, Landsdown Castle, which was impressive enough that Holst's father, Adolph, borrowed money to send Gustav to the Royal College of Music.

  A year before Holst actually attended the Royal College of Music, he had a couple moments that would shape his music for the rest of his life. The first is when he heard the Covent Garden perform Wagner's Götterdämmerung, under the baton of Gustav Mahler. After this he became obsessed with Wagner's style and became a true follower of his methods. The second was in 1893, when Holst heard Bach's Mass in B Minor in Worchester, at the Three Chiors Festival. Which only fueled Holst's love to write choir pieces throughout his life.

  As the pain in his body increased, from playing piano, he knew he'd have to give up this instrument. Holst then decided to pick up the trombone. This would give Holst an inside view of the orchestra, and be invaluable experience to him as a composer. He continued to play trombone in different orchestras make an income, and also, because he though that it would help his weak chest and lungs.

  During the early 1900's Holst started getting very interested in the Hindu faith. He set many of works off the Sanskrit texts. These included a three-act opera: Sita, a chamber opera: Sāvitri, and many other smaller works.

  Through the years 1920-1923 Holst popularity skyrocketed with the successes of The Planets, The Hymn of Jesus, and the publication of a new opera, The Pefect Fool. Holst didn't like a lot of publicity though and wouldn't hand out his autograph or answer the press very often. After a collapse in 1923, Holst decided that he was too weak to continue teaching and he would commit himself to composing and conducting.

  

  Holst saw great achievement in conducting as well. In 1924 began to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra, for the Columbia company. He conducted many pieces for recordings, which were the new thing back then, and among the many recordings was the entirety of The Planets.

  Holst wrote many great things throughout his life, but probably the most memorable is his suite for orchestra, The Planets. Now, you won't see many excerpts from this, but don't let it fool you, this is one tough work. As a horn player you will be greatly rewarded, especially in the movement below, "Jupiter." The Andante Maestoso section  from this part was so gorgeous that is has as actually been adapted into a hymn tune named "Thaxted," and is usually sung to the words of "I Vow to Thee My Country."

Enjoy!

 

For an even more in-depth look at Holst, check out his website at http://www.gustavholst.info/