Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

We often think of composers as solitary geniuses, scribbling away
at their masterpieces, working alone. But this isn’t 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 “jelly overcharged with electricity.” 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’s interplanetary expedition and
discovers the unsung heroes who placed him amongst the stars.


Music Featured:


The Planets, Op 32 Toccata, H 153 Symphony in F Major, Op 8, H 47
“The Cotswolds” (2nd mvt, Elegy, Molto adagio & 3rd mvt,
Scherzo, Presto - Allegretto) Sita, Op 23, H 89 (Interlude) The
Mystic Trumpeter, Op 18 Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op 26
(3rd Group, H99) The Hymn of Jesus, Op37 / H 140 (Hymn II, Hymn
III, Hymn IV) 5 Partsongs, Op 12, H 61 St Paul’s Suite, Op 29, No
2 Ballet music from 'The Perfect Fool' H150 (Op 39) Sāvitri, Op
25 (I - VI) Ode to Death, Op 38, H 144 Suite No 2 for Military
Band in F major, Op 28 No 2, H106 Choral Symphony, Op 41 (2nd
mvt, Song and Bacchanal) Scherzo for Orchestra, H192 Hammersmith
- Prelude and Scherzo, H178, Op 52 Egdon Heath Op 47 (1st mvt,
Adagio - Poco Allegro - Andante maestoso) Brook Green Suite The
Planets, Op 32 (Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity) arr. for two
pianos


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKee for BBC 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 Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022sj0


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