Transcript Holst: First Suite in Eb

First Suite in Eb
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Table of contents
• The work
– General information
– 3 movements
• The composer
– Life
– Education
– Influences
The work: First Suite in Eb
Composed 1909
“ At that time, concert wind band repertoire
consisted of reductions of pieces originally scored
for orchestras, essentially program music.
Holst wanted to make the concert band
a serious concert medium, and this piece
is seen as the first step in that direction. ” (Taylor, 2007)
The work: First Suite in Eb
I: Chaconne
“…a melody of 16 notes that starts in the baritone makes its way throughout
the entire band, and in the middle of the piece, the trombone plays the
inversion of this progression. Buliding ever so slowly, the finale of this first
movement is marked by a strong fortissimo in all instruments and a sustained
chord by the upper winds as the lower brass drops out.”
II: Intermezzo
“…marked vivace and through the vibrant tempo we are shown the Holst's
mastery in writing for woodwind instruments.”
III: March
“..in the form ABA, yet what makes the march interesting is the combination of
the two melodies in the finale with a sophicated counterpoint. This technique of
combining two folk song tunes is also employed the "Fantasia" of for strings and
the Suite No.2 in F. The Suite No. 1 in E-flat was first performed in 1920.”
(Taylor 2007)
The composer: Gustav Holst
September 21, 1874 – May 25, 1934
Genetics may be a factor…
• Ancestor was a court composer in Russia
• Grandfather was a teacher and composer for harp
• Mother was a singer and pianist
• Father a pianist and organist
As a child, played piano and violin
Began composing at the age of 12
Developed a nerve condition
that affected his right hand,
gave up the piano to play the trombone
Holst: Education & Life
Studied at the
Royal College of Music (London, England)
Married in 1901 to Isobel
One daughter: Imogen (conductor, composer, author)
Brother was a Hollywood actor Ernest Cossart
Educator at St. Paul’s Girl’s School (1905)
Director of Music Morley’s College (1907)
Holst: Influences
Rubbing elbows with the stars…
• Richard Wagner: One hearing of Götterdämmerung conducted by
Gustav Mahler changed his life
• Vaughan Williams: lifelong friend and colleague
• Arthur Sullivan: inspired him to write Lansdown Castle
• The influence of Edvard Grieg, Felix Mendelssohn & Maurice Ravel
can be heard in his music
Gustav Holst: Compositions
Best-known work for orchestra:
The Planets
For Concert Band:
• First Suite in Eb
• Second Suite in F
Composed 200+ works
• Orchestral
• Operas
• Ballets
• Song Cycles
Works Cited
“Famous Composer Biographies.” 2005. Online. February 17, 2010. http://www.ofletters.com/composers/ravel.jpg
Hiles, Dustin. “Richard Wagner.” 2009. Online. February 17, 2010. http://dustinhiles.com/wagner_1.jpg
Lace, Ian. “A Biography of Gustav Holst.” 2007. Online. February 17, 2010.
http://www.gustavholst.info/biography/index.php?chapter=1
Mackey, Brian. “Illinois Symphony Orchestra: 2009-2010.” The State Journal-Register. Online. February 17,
2010. http://blogs.sj-r.com/brianmackey/wpcontent/uploads/felix_mendelssohn_by_james_warren_
childe.jpg
Powazek, Derek. “Every Little Thing She Does.” Ragnhits. Online. February 17, 2010.
http://ragnhits.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/edvard-grieg.jpg
“Sir Arthur Sullivan As A Church Musician.” 2007 The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive. Online.
February 17, 2010.
http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/other_sullivan/html/ch_mus_images/scholar.jpg
Taylor, Kendric. “Gustav Holst.” Online. February 17, 2010. http://www.gustavholst.info/
“Vaughan Williams, Ralph.” eclassical: classical download shop. Online. February 17, 2010.
http://www.eclassical.com/i/pictures/Composers/Vaughan_williams.jpg
Watertown Historical Society. 2009. Online. February 17, 2010.
http://www.watertownhistory.org/Images/MilitaryBand1.jpg