Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 01 | 20110425 | With Donald Macleod. Including Scherzo, Sita (excerpt), Vedic Hymns (first set). | |
| 2011 | 02 | 20110426 | Donald Macleod discusses the work that would make Holst world famous. | |
| 2011 | 03 | 20110427 | Donald Macleod focuses on Holst's discomfort at the fame he gained from his Planets suite. | |
| 2011 | 04 | 20110428 | On the verge of a breakdown, Holst withdrew to the quiet of village life and composing. | |
| 2011 | 05 LAST | 20110429 | Gustav Holst died leaving tantalising hints of the composer he might have become. | |
| 2015 | 01 | Life Before The War, Life Before The Planets | 20150323 | 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. In Monday's episode, Donald focuses on Holst's childhood in Cheltenham, his studies in London and the friendships he made there. This was followed by his break into teaching, and an enforced trip away which led to a rather controversial composition. Donald Macleod explores Holst's early life in Cheltenham and studies in London. |
| 2015 | 02 | Choral Music, World War I And The Planets | 20150324 | Donald Macleod explores the life and career of the English composer Gustav Holst (1874-1912). Remembered by many as the man who wrote one famous, astronomical work, Holst was in fact much more than that. He was an intriguing character and the composer of a number of individual, compelling pieces. Tuesday's programme focuses on Holst's early choral works and the lead into the First World War: Holst was passed unfit for military service and instead put his efforts into writing a suite for large orchestra: The Planets. Donald Macleod focuses on Holst's early choral music and the suite he called The Planets. |
| 2015 | 03 | Growing Fame And Hymns To Man | 20150325 | 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 in fact much more than that. He was an intriguing character and the composer of a number of individual, compelling works. In Wednesday's programme, Donald explores the music Holst wrote on his return from his war posting and his struggles with the pressures of fame. Donald MacLeod explores Holst's growing fame as he returned from his war posting. |
| 2015 | 04 | Fragile Health And The Perfect Walk | 20150326 | 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. Thursday's programme focuses on Holst's breakdown and year long retreat in Thaxted, plus his encounters with a pair of notable literary figures of the day: Robert Bridges and Thomas Hardy. Donald Macleod focuses on Holst's year-long retreat and an encounter with Thomas Hardy. |
| 2015 | 05 LAST | Nearing The End | 20150327 | 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'. Donald Macleod explores Holst's final years and the music he wrote inspired by London. |
| 2024 | 01 | Early Horrors | 20240916 | 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. In this programme, Donald explores Holst's first forays into music, composing in his childhood bedroom and later a tiny bedsit, without the aid of the piano. The Planets, Op 32 (Jupiter) London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski Toccata, H 153 Maria Marchant, piano Symphony in F Major, Op 8, H 47 “The Cotswolds ? (2nd mvt, Elegy, Molto adagio & 3rd mvt, Scherzo, Presto - Allegretto) Ulster Orchestra, conducted by JoAnn Falletta Sita, Op 23, H 89 (Interlude) London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by David Atherton The Mystic Trumpeter, Op 18 Claire Rutter, soprano Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducted by Rumon Gamba Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West Who was Holst before The Planets? Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. How did a failing music student come to one day compose The Planets? |
| 2024 | 02 | Fool In Music | 20240917 | 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. In today's programme, Donald discovers how Holst formed one of the most important and longest lasting friendships of his life, with his fellow student Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Planets, Op 32 (Saturn) London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op 26 (3rd Group, H99) Grace Cloutier, harp Etherea Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Derek Greten-Harrison The Hymn of Jesus, Op37 / H 140 (Hymn II, Hymn III, Hymn IV) London Symphony Chorus, St Paul's Cathedral Choir and London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles Groves 5 Partsongs, Op 12, H 61 The Choir of King's College London, conducted by Joseph Fort Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West Holst meets a kindred spirit. Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. At college, Holst meets his match in fellow composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. |
| 2024 | 03 | The Mystic | 20240918 | 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. In this programme, Donald explores Holst's life as a teacher, his discovery of astrology and the route into mysticism which led him to compose The Planets. The Planets, Op. 32 (Mercury) London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski St Paul's Suite, Op 29, No 2 Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Kenneth Sillito Ballet music from 'The Perfect Fool' H150 (Op 39) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras SĀ?vitri, Op 25 (I - VI) Felicity Palmer, mezzo-soprano Philip Langridge, tenor Stephen Varcoe, baritone City of London Sinfonia and Richard Hickox Singers, conducted by Richard Hickox The Planets, Op 32 (Uranus) The Planets, Op 32 (Neptune) Produce by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West Holst's mystical expedition into the solar system. Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. As Holst begins his new life as a teacher, he finds himself stumbling into spiritualism. |
| 2024 | 04 | Bringer Of War | 20240919 | 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. In this programme, Donald plots the chart of Holst's life during the First World War. Unable to enlist, all Holst could do was compose. As his friends were dying on the front lines, Holst was hurrying to complete The Planets suite. The Planets, Op 32 (Mars) London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski Ode to Death, Op 38, H 144 James Orford, organ Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, conducted by William Vann The Planets, Op 32 (Venus) Suite No 2 for Military Band in F major, Op 28 No 2, H106 The Central Band of the RAF, conducted by Wing Commander Eric Banks Choral Symphony, Op 41 (2nd mvt, Song and Bacchanal) Lynne Dawson, soprano Guildford Choral Society and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West As war breaks out, Holst hurries to complete The Planets. Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. As war breaks out, Holst hurries to complete The Planets. |
| 2024 | 05 LAST | The Duty Of A Teacher | 20240920 | 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. In this programme, Donald follows Holst's final years, a time when he withdrew from the public eye and learned to love composing again. Scherzo for Orchestra, H192 BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis Hammersmith - Prelude and Scherzo, H178, Op 52 Dallas Wind Symphony, conducted by Howard Dunn Egdon Heath Op. 47 (1st mvt, Adagio - Poco Allegro - Andante maestoso) BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis Brook Green Suite English Sinfonia, conducted by Howard Griffiths The Planets, Op 32 (Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity) arr. for two pianos Len Vorster, piano Robert Chamberlain, piano Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West Holst finds his way back to planet Earth. Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. From his hospital bed, Holst never stops composing - or teaching |