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Nearing the End

Donald Macleod explores Holst's final years which involved, as the composer put it, 'too much gadding about. Plus music inspired by London.

Donald Macleod explores the life and career of the English composer Gustav Holst (1874-1912). Remembered by many as the man who wrote the Planets suite, Holst was much more than that. He was an intriguing character and the composer of a number of individual, compelling works. Holst's final years involved, in Holst's own words, "too much gadding about". Nevertheless, he found time to write several pieces celebrating London, the city where he'd spent most of his working life, and became involved in "the most startling event in Canterbury Cathedral since the murder of Thomas a Beckett".

1 hour

Last on

Fri 27 Mar 2015 18:30

Music Played

  • Gustav Holst

    A Moorside suite for brass band

    Ensemble: Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Conductor: Garry Cutt.
    • CHANDOS: CHAN4553.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 1.
  • Gustav Holst

    The Song of the coming of Christ

    Conductor: Hilary Davan Wetton. Choir: City of London Choir.
    • EM RECORDS : EMR-CD004.
    • EM RECORDS.
    • 17.
  • Gustav Holst

    12 Songs Op.48 for voice and piano [words: Humbert Wolfe]

    Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: Richard Hickox. Singer: Patrizia Kwella.
    • HELIOS: CDH55042.
    • HELIOS.
    • 23.
  • Gustav Holst

    Hammersmith prelude and scherzo Op.52 vers. for orchestra

    Ensemble: RNCM Wind Orchestra. Conductor: Timothy Reynish.
    • CHANDOS: CHAN9697.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 10.
  • Gustav Holst

    Lyric movement for viola and orchestra

    Performer: Timothy Pooley. Conductor: Sir Mark Elder. Orchestra: Hallé.
    • HELIOS: CDH55350.
    • HELIOS.
    • 9.
  • Gustav Holst

    This have I done for my true love , The Dream-city and Betelgeuse

    Choir: Finzi Singers. Singer: Rachel Wheatley. Conductor: Paul Spicer.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-9425.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 12.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 27 Mar 2015 12:00
  • Fri 27 Mar 2015 18:30

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