大象传媒

Donald Macleod delves into the life and music of Imogen Holst

Imogen Holst was a significant part of the British classical music scene during the twentieth century. Daughter of Gustav Holst, Imogen was raised in an artistic environment, and her early aspirations were to be a dancer. However, after studying at the Royal College of Music, Imogen Holst went on to be prominent as a composer, conductor, writer on music, teacher, administrator and artistic director. She also worked as an amanuensis to Benjamin Britten. Throughout this exceptionally busy career, including establishing the Purcell Singers, Imogen Holst continued to compose and wrote many works from choral pieces and folksong arrangements, to concertos and string quartets. Her considerable output as a composer is only just beginning to be appreciated.

Music Featured:

Agnus Dei (Mass in A minor)
Allegro assai
Theme and Variations
String Quartet 鈥淧hantasy鈥�
Persephone
Come Under My Plaidie from Two Scottish Airs
Gigue from Suite for Viola
On Westhall Hill
Sonata for Violin and Cello
Prelude and Dance
Three Psalms
A shower among the birch trees from Six Pieces from Finland
Crab-fish from Four Somerset Folk Songs
Mill Field
Suite for Strings
String Quartet No 1
Welcome Joy and Welcome Sorrow
Weathers arr. Arthur Keegan
Suite for Viola (Cinquepace)
As I sat under a Holly Tree
A Hymne to Christ
Variations on 鈥淟oth to Depart鈥�
The fall of the leaf
Festival Anthem 鈥淗ow Manifold are Thy Works鈥�
Timothy鈥檚 Trot
What Man is He?
Leiston Suite
Hallo my fancy, whither wilt thou go?
String Quintet
Mass in A minor (excerpt)

Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Luke Whitlock for 大象传媒 Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Imogen Holst (1907-1984) /programmes/m0026wsv

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we鈥檝e featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z