Gustav Holst: Vedic Hymns Op.24 No.7 (Vac. Speech) Voice/Piano: Voice: Vocal

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.

In his use of authentic Englsh folksongs Gnostic texts and Vedic hymns one can discern Holst’s search for a compositional Voice beyond the constraints of the European canon in the early 1900’s. In 1916 hepublished Six Choral Folk Songs of which Hampshire folk tune The Song of the Blacksmith is the fourth.Holst uses the power of his mixed Voice Chorale to set the song among onomatopaeic syllables to evoke the smithy. The song isone verse long which Holst repeats not quite completely three times like the endlessly spinning thoughts of a rejected lover. There are many time signature changes between 4/4 and ¾.Gustav Holst has earned a place amongthe most revered of late 19th and early 20th century composers and is best known for his enduring Orchestral suite The Planets.

In his use of authentic Englsh folksongs Gnostic texts and Vedic hymns one can discern Holst’s search for a compositional Voice beyond the constraints of the European canon in the early 1900’s. In 1916 hepublished Six Choral Folk Songs of which Cornish folk tune I Love My Love is the fifth number.The song is a tale of a girl ‘in Bedlam’ who awaits her love’s return from the sea. It moves into Dorian mode and outagain with a particularly effective sighing motif in the middle section. 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 ThePlanets.