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The Duty of a Teacher

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. From his hospital bed, Holst never stops composing - or teaching

We often think of composers as solitary geniuses, scribbling away at their masterpieces, working alone. But this isn鈥檛 always the case. Gustav Holst, most famous for composing The Planets, struggled all his life with neuritis, a condition that made his arms feel like 鈥渏elly overcharged with electricity.鈥 It was frequently impossible for him to play or even write, so, to bring his vision of our solar system to life, he needed help. This week, Donald Macleod charts Holst鈥檚 interplanetary expedition and discovers the unsung heroes who placed him amongst the stars.

In this programme, Donald follows Holst鈥檚 final years, a time when he withdrew from the public eye and learned to love composing again.

Scherzo for Orchestra, H192聽
大象传媒 Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis

Hammersmith - Prelude and Scherzo, H178, Op 52聽
Dallas Wind Symphony, conducted by Howard Dunn聽

Egdon Heath Op. 47 (1st mvt, Adagio - Poco Allegro - Andante maestoso)聽
大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis聽

Brook Green Suite聽
English Sinfonia, conducted by Howard Griffiths聽

The Planets, Op 32 (Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity) arr. for two pianos聽
Len Vorster, piano
Robert Chamberlain, piano

Produced by Alice McKee for 大象传媒 Audio Wales & West

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 20 Sep 2024 16:00

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Music Played

  • Gustav Holst

    Scherzo H 192

    Orchestra: 大象传媒 Philharmonic. Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis.
    • CHANDOS : CHSA5192.
    • Chandos.
    • 11.
  • Gustav Holst

    Hammersmith Prelude and Scherzo, Op 52

    Performer: Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Howard Dunn.
    • REFERENCE : RRCD-39.
    • REFERENCE.
    • 11.
  • Gustav Holst

    Egdon Heath Op 47 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: 大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Davis.
    • TELDEC 4509945412.
    • TELDEC.
    • 8.
  • Gustav Holst

    Brook Green Suite H 190

    Orchestra: English Sinfonia. Conductor: Howard Griffiths.
    • NAXOS : 8-570339.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.
  • Gustav Holst

    The Planets, Op 32 vers for two pianos (4th mvt, Jupiter)

    Performer: Len Vorster. Performer: Robert Chamberlain.
    • NAXOS : 8.-554369.
    • NAXOS.
    • 4.

Broadcast

  • Fri 20 Sep 2024 16:00

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