Gustav Holst - 5. Nearing the End

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Episode 5 of 5: Nearing the End

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".

00:01
Gustav Holst
Moorside suite for brass band
Conductor: Garry Cutt.
Ensemble: Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

00:06
Gustav Holst
The Song of the coming of Christ
Conductor: Hilary Davan Wetton.
Choir: City of London Choir.

00:12
Gustav Holst
12 Songs Op.48 for voice and piano [words: Humbert Wolfe]
Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia.
Conductor: Richard Hickox.
Singer: Patrizia Kwella.

00:23
Gustav Holst
Hammersmith prelude and scherzo Op.52 vers. for orchestra
Ensemble: RNCM Wind Orchestra.
Conductor: Timothy Reynish.

00:39
Gustav Holst
Lyric movement for viola and orchestra
Performer: Timothy Pooley.
Conductor: Sir Mark Elder.
Orchestra: Hallé Orchestra.

00:53
Gustav Holst
This have I done for my true love , The Dream-city and Betelgeuse
Choir: Finzi Singers.
Singer: Rachel Wheatley.
Conductor: Paul Spicer.

First broadcast: 27 Mar 2015 (b05mrlsq) [bad word]  [bad word] wall-71199334_56