Gustov Holst 21 September May 1934

Early Years Holst was born in Cheltenham, England, the first of two children to Adolph and Clara von Holst. He was a frail child with neuritis in his arm which plagued him for the rest of his life. He was taught to play the piano and violin, and began composing when he was about twelve. He began composition at school, writing piano pieces, organ voluntaries, songs, anthems and a Symphony in C minor (from 1892). He was also organist and choir master at Wyck Rissington in the Cotswolds.

Gustov Holst He attended the Royal College of Music on a scholarship, where he studied composition with Charles Villiers Stanford and where in 1895 he met fellow student Ralph Vaughan Williams, who became a lifelong friend. In 1904 Holst took his first teaching job as music master at James Allen's Girls' School in West Dulwich, South London. In 1905, Holst was appointed Director of Music at St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, London. In 1907, Holst also became director of music at Morley College.

Last Years Holst had a lifetime of poor health, which worsened due to a concussion during a backward fall from the conductor's podium in 1923, from which he never fully recovered. In his final four years, Holst grew ill with stomach problems. One of his last compositions, the Brook Green Suite, named after the land on which St Paul’s Girls’ School was built, was performed for the first time a few months before his death. Holst died on 25 May 1934, of complications following stomach surgery, in London. Holst died on 25 May 1934, of complications following stomach surgery, in London.

About his music His early works show the influence of Grieg, Wagner, Richard Strauss and fellow student Ralph Vaughan Williams, and later, through Vaughan Williams, the music of Ravel. Holst's music is well known for unconventional use of meter and haunting melodies. Holst composed almost 200 works, including operas, ballets, choral hymns and songs.

Famous Works St Paul's Suite Op. 29 No.2 (1913) The Planets Op. 32 ( ) Brook Green Suite (1933) The Perfect Fool Op. 39 ( ) Four Old English Carols Op. 20B (1907) Suite No.2 in F Op. 28 No.2 (1911)

Lets Listen The Planets: (Jupiter) The Planets: (Mars) St. Paul’s Suite: (Jig) St. Paul’s Suite: (Dargason) Brook Green Suite: