(1874 - 1934)
Gustav Theodore Holst was an English composer. He is most famous for his orchestral suite The Planets. His early works show the influence of Grieg, Wagner, Richard Strauss and fellow student Ralph Vaughan Williams and later, through Vaughan Williams, the music of Ravel. The combined influence of Ravel, Hindu spiritualism and English folk tunes enabled Holst to free himself of the influence of Wagner and Strauss and to forge his own style. Holst's music is well known for unconventional use of metre and haunting melodies. Holst composed almost 200 works, including operas, ballets, choral hymns and songs. An enthusiastic educator, Holst became music master at St Paul's Girls' School in 1905 and director of music at Morley College in 1907, continuing in both posts until retirement. He also taught singing at Wycombe Abbey School from 1912 until 1917. He was the brother of Hollywood actor Ernest Cossart and father of the composer and conductor Imogen Holst, who wrote a biography of him in 1938.
Gustav Holst Composition Timpani and Percussion Requirements
Fugal Overture
Timpani + 2 percussion
1) glockenspiel, 2) sleigh bells, orchestral bass drum
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Hymn of Jesus
Timpani + 1 percussion
Snare drum, tambourine, clash cymbals, orchestral bass drum
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Japanese Suite
Timpani + 3 percussion
Clash cymbals, orchestral bass drum, xylophone, glockenspiel, sleigh bells, tam tam
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Somerset Rhapsody
Timpani + 3 percussion
1) snare drum, 2) clash cymbals, suspended cymbal, 3) orchestral bass drum
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The Perfect Fool
Timpani + 3 percussion
Xylophone, orchestral bass drum, clash cymbals, suspended cymbal, sleighbells, tam tam, tambourine, triangle
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The Planets
2 Timpani
Int'l 32/29/26/26 + 32/29/26 Prem 32/30/28/25 + 32/30/28
4 percussion + celeste
Clash cymbals, suspended cymbal, orchestral bass drum, snare drum, tambourine, triangle, xylophone, glockenspiel, tubular bells G & A, tam tam, celeste
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