Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
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20110120110425With Donald Macleod. Including Scherzo, Sita (excerpt), Vedic Hymns (first set).
20110220110426Donald Macleod discusses the work that would make Holst world famous.
20110320110427Donald Macleod focuses on Holst's discomfort at the fame he gained from his Planets suite.
20110420110428On the verge of a breakdown, Holst withdrew to the quiet of village life and composing.
201105 LAST20110429Gustav Holst died leaving tantalising hints of the composer he might have become.
201501Life Before The War, Life Before The Planets20150323Donald 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.

201502Choral Music, World War I And The Planets20150324Donald 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.

201503Growing Fame And Hymns To Man20150325Donald 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.

201504Fragile Health And The Perfect Walk20150326Donald 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.

201505 LASTNearing The End20150327Donald 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.