First Suite in Eb

Table of contents The work – General information – 3 movements The composer – Life – Education – Influences GUSTAVHOLSTGUSTAVHOLST

The work: First Suite in E b “ 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 E b 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.” Online. February 17, Hiles, Dustin. “Richard Wagner.” Online. February 17, Lace, Ian. “A Biography of Gustav Holst.” Online. February 17, Mackey, Brian. “Illinois Symphony Orchestra: ” The State Journal-Register. Online. February 17, childe.jpg Powazek, Derek. “Every Little Thing She Does.” Ragnhits. Online. February 17, “Sir Arthur Sullivan As A Church Musician.” 2007 The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive. Online. February 17, Taylor, Kendric. “Gustav Holst.” Online. February 17, “Vaughan Williams, Ralph.” eclassical: classical download shop. Online. February 17, Watertown Historical Society Online. February 17,