Gustav Holst
1874 – 1934
Together with Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst played an important role in English musical Renaissance. The son of a Swedish music teacher and English mother, Gustav Holst began his studies at the Royal College of Music. To earn a living, Holst taught music at many of the London public schools and played trombone at an opera theatre. In 1905 Holst was appointed director of St. Paul's Girl' School. Holst composed many of his early works for his pupils - a very similar career to the great Antonio Vivaldi. Holst composed his most famous work The Planets between 1914 and 1916. The idea for the orchestral suite came from astrology. The noted English conductor Sir Adrian Boult performed The Planets in London in 1920. This concert made Holst famous all over the world. Holst’s hometown, Cheltenham, became the site of Holst Festival. |