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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => The Polling Station => Topic started by: Christo on June 14, 2015, 03:00:37 AM

Title: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Christo on June 14, 2015, 03:00:37 AM
But you may opt for your personal favourite Planet, if you like: in my case it is Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age

Invocation (1911) - for cello and orchestra
This Have I Done for My True Love (1916) - for mixed chorus a cappella
The Hymn of Jesus (1917) - for two mixed choruses, female semi-chorus and orchestra
First Choral Symphony (1924) - for soprano, mixed chorus and orchestra
Capriccio, originally named: Jazz-Band Piece (Mr. Shilkret's Maggot) (1932) - for orchestra  (revised by Imogen Holst as 'Capriccio' and recorded twice as such)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 14, 2015, 07:53:44 AM
Quote from: Christo on June 14, 2015, 03:00:37 AM
Jazz-Band Piece (Mr. Shilkret's Maggot) (1932) - for orchestra  (revised by Imogen Holst as 'Capriccio)

Jiggered if I knew of that one at all, at all!

The Hymn of Jesus is certainly a fine one.

Let me consider . . . .
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 14, 2015, 08:10:20 AM
Excellent thread - especially as I started a very similar one (see under 'Holst' in composer index)  :)

Saturn: The Bringer of Old Age

The Cloud Messenger
First Choral Symphony
Hammersmith (orchestral version)
The Perfect Fool ballet music (especially the middle movement)
Egdon Heath
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 14, 2015, 08:23:43 AM
Mars, the Bringer of War

Suites op.28, Nos.1&2

Somerset Rhapsody

Beni Mora

Symphony in F major "The Cotswolds" (especially the second movement Elegy )



Sarge

Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 14, 2015, 10:22:42 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 14, 2015, 08:23:43 AM
Mars, the Bringer of War

Suites op.28, Nos.1&2

Somerset Rhapsody

Beni Mora

Symphony in F major "The Cotswolds" (especially the second movement Elegy )



Sarge

I should have included Beni Mora and the Somerset Rhapsody on my own list - great works.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 14, 2015, 10:59:31 AM
Looks like an extraordinary issue including alternate versions of Saturn and Jupiter not issued since 1926.  :o
[asin]B00IOAY1VW[/asin]
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Christo on June 14, 2015, 12:16:14 PM
Thanks all very much, so far.

Re: Beni Mora - absolutely lovely work, yet I find the lesser-known Invocation from the year after at least equally fine (and even more 'mature Holst', to follow Imogen Holst's classification  :)).
Re: Egdon Heath - always wonder who really loves it, as it seems to wander in the dark for me, almost as if by Sibelius.  8) I always had the impression that after 1930 Holst's music began to 'warm' (becoming more 'personal') again, as e.g. in the 1933 Lyric Movement and even the Scherzo from his planned Symphony.

Re: Compositions for Band: all of Holst's pieces for Wind Band etc. are great fun, IMHO: both Suites, the Moorside Suite (but I like it even more in its version for string orchestra), Hammersmith. The same applies to his similar pieces for strings: St. Paul's Suite, Brook Green (the original Gavotte including).

Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Dax on June 14, 2015, 03:31:13 PM
One of my favourite works of Holst is (believe it or not) the Terzetto for flute, oboe and viola: a sophisticated piece of wilful polytonality in which the key signatures would suggest the flute as being in Ab, the oboe in A and the viola in C.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 14, 2015, 06:46:07 PM
Holst is far from one of my favorites, but the five works I enjoy most outside of The Planets are the following (in no particular order):

Beni Mora
Japanese Suite
Egdon Heath
Indra
The Cloud Messenger
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 15, 2015, 10:38:45 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 14, 2015, 06:46:07 PM
Holst is far from one of my favorites, but the five works I enjoy most outside of The Planets are the following (in no particular order):

Beni Mora
Japanese Suite
Egdon Heath
Indra
The Cloud Messenger

Nice to see some more support for the Cloud Messenger which has a wonderful 'minimalist' moment, decades before minimalism.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 15, 2015, 10:47:10 AM
'Love on my heart from Heaven fell' is another favourite of mine (from 7 Part-Songs):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iqwKqz6vYBo

Very much in the spirit of his friend, Vaughan Williams I think
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Christo on June 15, 2015, 10:50:23 AM
Quote from: Dax on June 14, 2015, 03:31:13 PMOne of my favourite works of Holst is (believe it or not) the Terzetto for flute, oboe and viola: a sophisticated piece of wilful polytonality in which the key signatures would suggest the flute as being in Ab, the oboe in A and the viola in C.

Never heard it, but I certainly believe you.  :) Is there any recording that you know of?
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Dax on June 15, 2015, 12:06:20 PM
There's one but I've never heard it (I used to posses a radio receording).
A couple of clips will give you a flavour.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Australian%2BEloquence/ELQ4802328#listen
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Christo on June 20, 2015, 02:49:30 AM
Quote from: Dax on June 15, 2015, 12:06:20 PMThere's one but I've never heard it (I used to posses a radio receording).
A couple of clips will give you a flavour.
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Australian%2BEloquence/ELQ4802328#listen
Many thanks, both clips offer more than a hint of the complete Terzetto. It's a piece from 1925, I learn now, not long after the First Choral Symphony.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Lisztianwagner on June 20, 2015, 06:57:42 AM
Egdon Heath
The Cloud Messenger
The Golden Goose
A Somerset Rhapsody
Two Songs without Words
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 25, 2015, 03:37:25 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on June 20, 2015, 06:57:42 AM
Egdon Heath
The Cloud Messenger
The Golden Goose
A Somerset Rhapsody
Two Songs without Words


Great choices.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Earth and Air and Rain on July 20, 2015, 06:40:36 PM
Quote from: Dax on June 15, 2015, 12:06:20 PM
There's one but I've never heard it (I used to posses a radio receording).
A couple of clips will give you a flavour.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Australian%2BEloquence/ELQ4802328#listen

There are a few more recordings of the Terzetto as well:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B5UBEZ4/ (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B5UBEZ4/)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H0M4H0/ (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H0M4H0/)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008US9Z/ (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008US9Z/)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000004AEP/ (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000004AEP/) (this last with cello instead of viola)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: kyjo on September 28, 2017, 09:51:14 PM
Ballet music from The Perfect Fool
Beni Mora Suite
The Hymn of Jesus
Invocation for cello and orchestra
Indra
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on September 28, 2017, 10:56:11 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 28, 2017, 09:51:14 PM
Ballet music from The Perfect Fool
Beni Mora Suite
The Hymn of Jesus
Invocation for cello and orchestra
Indra
Great choice but don't know the last one.

New list:

The Cloud Messenger
Lyric Movement for Viola and Orchestra
Love on my heart from heaven fell (song)
Egdon Heath
The Perfect Fool ballet music.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: SymphonicAddict on September 29, 2017, 03:26:48 PM
Beni Mora. John Williams had to be inspired by this music as well.
Ode to Death
St. Paul Suite (I love The Dargason)
Short Festival Te Deum
Japanese Suite

... and my favorite planet is either Saturn or Uranus. I can't decide.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: kyjo on September 29, 2017, 05:14:02 PM
I missed the fact that we could choose a favorite "planet". In that case, I'd probably have to go with Uranus, though I love them all.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on May 11, 2021, 05:16:41 AM
Time to revive this slumbering thread  ;D

OK, here goes:

First Choral Symphony (definitely my favourite Holst work, Boult recording)
The Perfect Fool (ballet music)
Egdon Heath (Boult recording)
Beni Mora (Sargent recording)
The Cloud Messenger

+ Saturn from 'The Planets' (Steinberg recording)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Mirror Image on May 11, 2021, 06:56:29 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on May 11, 2021, 05:16:41 AM
Time to revive this slumbering thread  ;D

OK, here goes:

First Choral Symphony (definitely my favourite Holst work, Boult recording)
The Perfect Fool (ballet music)
Egdon Heath (Boult recording)
Beni Mora (Sargent recording)
The Cloud Messenger

+ Saturn from 'The Planets' (Steinberg recording)

Let's see if I can make one, Jeffrey. In no particular order:

The Hymn of Jesus
Egdon Heath
Japanese Suite
Military Suites Nos. 1 & 2
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on May 11, 2021, 11:31:22 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 11, 2021, 06:56:29 PM
Let's see if I can make one, Jeffrey. In no particular order:

The Hymn of Jesus
Egdon Heath
Japanese Suite
Military Suites Nos. 1 & 2

Very nice! (as you would say John  :))
I must listen to the Japanese Suite again. I also like the Military Band Suites.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Mirror Image on May 12, 2021, 06:46:10 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on May 11, 2021, 11:31:22 PM
Very nice! (as you would say John  :))
I must listen to the Japanese Suite again. I also like the Military Band Suites.

8) I have to be careful when listening to the Japanese Suite, because there is a movement titled Dance of the Marionette that is one huge earworm and will pester me for the rest of the day. :) And I'm sure I'll pester other people as well with incessant humming. :P
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Symphonic Addict on May 14, 2021, 01:02:17 PM
Beni Mora (Oriental Suite)
Egdon Heath
Indra
Choral Symphony
Ballet Suite

Favorite planet: Saturn
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on May 16, 2021, 12:14:33 AM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 14, 2021, 01:02:17 PM
Beni Mora (Oriental Suite)
Egdon Heath
Indra
Choral Symphony
Ballet Suite

Favorite planet: Saturn
I don't know 'Indra'  :o
The others are all favourites - do you mean 'The Perfect Fool Ballet Music' Cesar?
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: Symphonic Addict on May 16, 2021, 02:49:04 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on May 16, 2021, 12:14:33 AM
I don't know 'Indra'  :o
The others are all favourites - do you mean 'The Perfect Fool Ballet Music' Cesar?

Indra is a sort of little-known tone poem, Jeffrey. It contains fine and colourful music.

Just relistened to it and it's much better than I thought! A vibrant work. You can't miss it, Jeffrey!

The Ballet Suite is actually Suite de Ballet, Op. 10, and it can be found on this CD:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzk1MjQ0OS4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NDIzMDM4NzR9)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: kyjo on May 19, 2021, 08:35:13 AM
(First) Choral Symphony
The Cloud Messenger
Ballet music from The Perfect Fool (the whole opera is on YT, must give it a listen)
Indra
Beni Mora

All exceedingly fine and colorful works that deserve wider exposure. I rarely include Holst amongst my favorite composers but I think that is somehow due to the fact that he wrote few works in major forms (symphonies, concerti, chamber works, etc) rather than anything else. Anytime I listen to a work of his I'm struck by his sheer imagination and originality. Definitely a singular voice amongst British composers. 
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: vandermolen on May 19, 2021, 10:27:53 AM
Quote from: kyjo on May 19, 2021, 08:35:13 AM
(First) Choral Symphony
The Cloud Messenger
Ballet music from The Perfect Fool (the whole opera is on YT, must give it a listen)
Indra
Beni Mora

All exceedingly fine and colorful works that deserve wider exposure. I rarely include Holst amongst my favorite composers but I think that is somehow due to the fact that he wrote few works in major forms (symphonies, concerti, chamber works, etc) rather than anything else. Anytime I listen to a work of his I'm struck by his sheer imagination and originality. Definitely a singular voice amongst British composers.
+1 but need to listen to Indra.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favourite non-Planets Holst Works
Post by: kyjo on May 20, 2021, 07:05:19 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on May 19, 2021, 10:27:53 AM
+1 but need to listen to Indra.

Yes, you do! ;)