The Planets BY,Gustav Holst MacKenna Mullins High school music Appreciation.
Gustav Holst Gustav Theodore Holst (born Gustavus Theodore von Holst; 21 September 1874 – 25 May...
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Transcript of Gustav Holst Gustav Theodore Holst (born Gustavus Theodore von Holst; 21 September 1874 – 25 May...
Gustav Holst
Gustav Theodore Holst (born Gustavus Theodore
von Holst; 21 September 1874 – 25 May 1934) was an English composer, arranger and teacher. Best known for his orchestral suite The Planets, he composed a large number of other
works across a range of genres, although none achieved comparable
success.
Gustav HolstHis distinctive compositional style
was the product of many influences, Richard
Wagner and Richard Strauss being most crucial early in his
development. The subsequent inspiration of the English folksong
revival of the early 20th century, and the example of such rising modern composers as Maurice Ravel, led
Holst to develop and refine an individual style.
Holst 1st Suite in E-FlatAlthough completed in 1909, the suite didn't receive its official
premiere until 11 years later on June 23rd, 1920, by an ensemble of 165
musicians at the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall.
However, the work was originally conceived to be performed by
ensembles significantly smaller than the one at Kneller Hall. During this
time period there was no standardized instrumentation among
the hundreds of British military bands of the day, and as a result no
significant literature had been previously written for the band
medium; most British bands up to then performed arrangements of
popular orchestral pieces.
Holst 1st Suite in E-Flat
In order to ensure the suite would be accessible to as many bands as
possible, Holst ingeniously scored the work so that it could be played
by a minimum of 19 musicians, with 16 additional parts that could be
added or removed without compromising the integrity of the
work.
Holst 1st Suite in E-FlatThere are three movements in the suite: Chaconne, Intermezzo, and
March. Holst writes, “As each movement is founded on the same
phrase, it is requested that the suite be played right through without a
break.” Indeed, the first three notes of the Chaconne are Eb, F and C, and
the first three notes of the melody when it first appears in the
Intermezzo are Eb, F, and C. In the third movement, March, Holst inverts
the motive: The first note heard in the brilliant opening brass medley is
an Eb, but instead of rising, it descends to a D, and then a G; the
exact opposite of the first two movements.
Holst 1st Suite in E-FlatThe Chaconne begins with a ground bass reminiscent of those written by Henry Purcell or William Byrd. It is
performed by tuba, euphonium and string bass and is repeated
throughout the ensemble sixteen full times as varying instrumental
textures and variations of the theme are layered within it. Following a
delicately scored chamber setting of the theme, the music steadily builds
to a brilliant Eb Major chord that concludes the movement.
Holst 1st Suite in E-Flat
The Intermezzo is light and brisk and features soloistic passages for the
cornet, oboe and clarinet. Holst prominently displays the agility and sensitivity of the wind band through transparent textures and passages
where the melody and accompaniment are woven into a variety of instrumental settings.
Holst 1st Suite in E-Flat
The March begins suddenly. It consists of two themes, the first of
which, performed by brass choir and percussion, is a march light in
character. The second theme is dominated by the woodwinds and is
composed of a long, lyrical line reminiscent of the original Chaconne
melody. The movement concludes with both themes intertwining as the
band crescendos to a climax.
Holst 1st Suite in E-FlatGustav Holst, of Scandinavian ancestry on his father's side, was born in the English spa town of
Cheltenham in 1874 and studied music at the Royal College in
London. A formidable trombonist, he spent time performing with the Scottish Symphony and various seaside bands. He later became
director of music at St. Paul's Girls' School, retaining this connection
until the end of his life. Holst wrote a number of works for the theatre,
their subjects reflecting his varied interests, from Hindu mythology to
Shakespeare and the medieval world of the Wandering Scholar
Holst 1st Suite in E-FlatHe also composed a considerable
amount of choral music, accompanied and unaccompanied,
including arrangements of folk songs, and a smaller number of solo songs. His most famous instrumental
work is The Planets, but he is also fondly remembered for his St. Paul’s
Suite for string orchestra, the two suites for military band,
and Hammersmith, based on the district of London bearing the works
name.
Artistic Ethics
I will respect my audience
regardless of size or station.
Artistic Ethics
The Show Must Go On! I will never
miss a performance.
Artistic Ethics
I shall play every performance to the best of my ability, regardless of how
small my role or large my personal problems.
Artistic Ethics
I shall never miss an entrance by my failure to be
ready.
Artistic Ethics
I shall forego all social activities which interfere with rehearsals
and always be on time.
Artistic Ethics
I shall never leave until I have
completed my performance.
Artistic Ethics
I shall accept the director’s advice in
the spirit in which it is given for he sees the production as a whole
and my role as a portion thereof.
Artistic Ethics
I shall respect the music and the composer,
remembering that “A work of art is not a work of art until it is finished.”
Artistic Ethics
I shall direct my efforts in such a manner that when I leave this organization it will stand as a greater institution for my having
labored there.