First Suite in Eb

Table of contents

• The work– General information– 3 movements

• The composer– Life– Education– Influences

GUSTAV

HOLST

The work: First Suite in Eb

“ 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)

Composed 1909

The work: First Suite in Eb

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)

II: Intermezzo

“…marked vivace and through the vibrant tempo we are shown the Holst's mastery in writing for woodwind instruments.”

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.”

The composer: Gustav Holst

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

September 21, 1874 – May 25, 1934

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