Gustav Holst

Jupiter’s Theme is probably the best known of melodies from the Gustav Holst epic orchestral work The Planets. This arrangement for string quartet will bring a feel of patriotism to any concert as it is also the melody to ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’.

Gustav Holst has earned a place among the most revered of late 19th and early 20th century composers and is best known for his enduring Orchestral suite The Planets.But before that great work in his use of Englsh folksongs Gnostic texts and these Vedic hymns one can discern Holst’s search for a compositional Voice beyond the constraints of the European canon in the early 1900’s. Some see composition of the Vedic Hymns as a turning point in Holst’scompositional life. The quality is not completely consistent and Holst remained true to his Western musical inheritance for the most part in setting them but as art songs they are deeply felt and moving to hear.The nine songsare scored for mezzo-Soprano or baritone Voice. The texts are taken from the Rigveda one of the four sacred texts of Hinduism and the oldest religious text in the world.The first set of three comprises Ushas Varuna and Maruts or Dawn Sky and Stormclouds respectively. The second includes Indra (God of Storm and Battle) Varuna II (the Waters) and Song of the Frogs. The third group moves into the human sphere with Vac (Speech) Creation and Faith.

Cette magnifique mélodie de Noël de Stephen Bulla crée une bonne ambiance pour votre concert de Noël. Allumez vos bougies et profitez de la plus belle période de l?année avec vos amis votre famille et de la musique?

The collection of nine Vedic Hymns (Op. 24) for solo Voice with Piano accompaniment marked a turning point in Holst's compositions. They were inspired by Hindu scripture and Indian raga and first published in1908. Vac (Speech) is the seventh movement and is the first of the third group of hymns where the theme shifts into the human sphere.Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer and teacher.Having studied under Stanford and Parry he became a close friend of Vaughan Williams they would often critique each other’s work and influenced composers such as Tippet and Britten. He is best remembered for hisPlanets suite.

Christina Rossetti wrote the words to this famous Christmas carol in 1872 in response to a request from the magazine Scribner's Monthly for a Christmas poem. They were set to music by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) for inclusion in the first edition (1906) of The English Hymnal edited by his life-long friend Ralph Vaughan Williams. Philip Sparke has carefully arranged the beautiful melody into this delightful version for fanfare band. A must for any Christmas concert.

Gustav Holst était directeur de musique de 1905 et 1934 à la St Paul?s Girls? School à Brook Green Londres. La St Paul?s Suite une composition pour l?orchestre à cordes de l?école y connut sa première en 1913 et comprend quatre mouvements : une Jig énergique en 6/8 et 9/8 Ostinato basé sur un thème simple de quatre notes Intermezzo une danse dynamique et rythmique et Finale adapté de la Second Suite in F dans laquelle Holst combine avec brio The Dargason tiré du English Dancing Master avec la mélodie traditionnelle Greensleeves.

Here's a rare gem from the band literature archives rescored with a more practical instrumentation and part writing. Originally taken from an orchestral work entitled Two Songs Without Words Marching Song is vintage Holst style tuneful and engaging. John Moss' new version makes an ideal program number for concert band.

One of the best-known themes from The Planets by Holst is this marvelous chorale from Jupiter. An excellent change of pace number for a classical show this arrangement provides nice emotional builds and fluid ensemble passages.