In this programme hosted and sponsored by The Holst Society, choral works by Gustav Holst are performed alongside those of his teacher, Charles Villiers Stanford, his great friend and contemporary, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and composers who followed him: Benjamin Britten, and his daughter, Imogen Holst.
At the centre of the programme are extracts from The Rig Veda (1907), a collection of sacred hymns of praise. Holst was interested in ancient Indian culture and learnt Sanskrit so that he could understand the texts. The Hymns became an important influence on his development as a composer, as he experimented with Indian raga (scales), dissonant chords, and irregular meters.
The Chairman of The Holst Society, Chris Cope, says ‘The aim of The Holst Society is to bring the works by Gustav Holst to a wider audience by promoting and sponsoring recordings and performances. This is a rare opportunity to hear a live performance of five choral works by Holst. The Nunc Dimittis is a challenging and striking setting for double choir. The Ave Maria is an eight part anthem for unaccompanied female voices. The third group of Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, for female voices, here accompanied by piano, must be one of the most exquisite pieces of music in the entire repertoire. All in all, an inspiring programme.’
Gustav Holst was born in Cheltenham in 1874 at what is now known as the Holst Victorian House, a museum which is open to the public. He began composing while still at school, and his first professional posts were as organist and choral director in neighbouring Cotswold villages. He studied composition under Charles Villiers Stanford at the Royal College of Music in London and began his musical career as a professional trombonist. In 1905, he was appointed as the Director of Music at St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith. He also taught at Morley College, James Allen's School, Dulwich and Reading University.
Further information about Gustav Holst, and how to support activities by joining can be found at The Holst Society website