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GUSTAV HOLST - O SWEET AND BLESSED COUNTRY
RFMS ARCHIVES - SUMMER 2003




Music used: Sheet

O Sweet and Blessed Country

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Lyrics

 

Programme Notes

The inspiration behind Holst's masterpiece, The Planets, came from a conversation the composer had with Clifford Bax in 1913. Bax introduced Holst to the subject of Astrology and its different characterisations of the planets. Holst immediately saw the possibilities of composing a large symphonic suite on the subject and began work in 1914. The work was finished in 1916 and received a private performance on 29 September 1918. The first public performance took place on 15 November 1920.

The popularity of Mars and Jupiter has somewhat overshadowed the rest of the work. Mars is not, as was thought at the first performance, a direct comment on the First World War; Holst had completed the movement before the events of August 1914. In its driving rhythms and shattering climaxes though, it is a terrifying portrait of war in general. Jupiter, with its bold tunes and jovial atmosphere is a complete contrast, eschewing the joys of living.

The real gems of the work can be found in the achingly beautiful slow movments: Venus, with its subtle and delicate orchestration; the powefully noble Saturn, Holst's favourite; and the mystery of Neptune, its chorus fading into the ether at the end of the work suggesting the infinite possibilities of the Universe.