Search - Gustav Holst, Adrian Boult, London Philharmonic Orchestra :: Boult conducts Holst

Gustav Holst, Adrian Boult, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Boult conducts Holst
Genres: Special Interest, Classical

Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
1. A Fugal Overture, for orchestra, Op. 40/1, H. 151
2. A Somerset Rhapsody, for orchestra, Op. 21/2, H. 87
3. Beni Mora, oriental suite for orchestra, Op. 29/1, H. 107: First Dance
4. Beni Mora, oriental suite for orchestra, Op. 29/1, H. 107: Second Dance
5. Beni Mora, oriental suite for orchestra, Op. 29/1, H. 107: In the Street of the Ouled N?ils
6. Hammersmith, prelude & scherzo for military band (also version for orchestra), Op. 52, H. 178
7. Scherzo, for orchestra, H. 192
8. Japanese Suite, for orchestra, Op. 33, H. 126: Prelude - Song of the Fisherman
9. Japanese Suite, for orchestra, Op. 33, H. 126: Ceremonial Dance
10. Japanese Suite, for orchestra, Op. 33, H. 126: Dance of the Marionette
11. Japanese Suite, for orchestra, Op. 33, H. 126: Interlude - Song of the Fisherman
12. Japanese Suite, for orchestra, Op. 33, H. 126: Dance under the Cherry Tree
13. Japanese Suite, for orchestra, Op. 33, H. 126: Finale - Dance of the Wolves

CD Details

All Artists: Gustav Holst, Adrian Boult, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra
Title: Boult conducts Holst
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Lyrita
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 1/9/2007
Genres: Special Interest, Classical
Styles: Marches, Forms & Genres, Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 5020926022226

Synopsis

Album Description

"This disc very usefully contains all the Holst recordings made for Lyrita by Sir Adrian. Boult was a close friend of Holst, and his performances have unmistakable authority." - GRAMOPHONE Gustav Holst (1874-1934) had an enormous hit with The Planets in 1918, which dismayed him because he was afraid it would create expectations of more in the same vein. A proper composer, he said, should "pray for failure." He never considered The Planets his best work, but much of his other music has remained unknown.

CD Reviews

Another British treasure from Lyrita

jsa | San Diego, CA United States | 06/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To understand the music of Gustav Holst one should know that he was interested in Eastern philosophy & that in his early years he was musically very much under the influence of Wagner (the composer's daughter described this period as "Wagner worship"), from whose spell he broke free in the first years of the 20th century. It was then that England's great folk song tradition became a center of focus for composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, who set about collecting & ultimately incorporating folk material into his music. Holst also loved folk tunes, which influenced "A Somerset Rhapsody," the earliest work on this disc & the first work that fully expressed his individuality. Holst's interest in things Eastern is evident in the very colorful "Beni Mora" (subtitled "Oriental Suite") & the relatively brief "Japanese Suite." Both are wonderful pieces that are full of mystery & character. The balance of this disc includes "Hammersmith," which was composed towards the end of Holst's life & which celebrates the district of London by the same name; & the "Fugal Overture" & "Scherzo" - both short, fine pieces of music.

"Boult Conducts Holst" makes an excellent companion disc to Lyrita's Holst compilation conducted by the composer's daughter: "Imogen Holst Conducts Gustav Holst." There are no duplicated works & buyers will have over two hours of Gustav Holst's music between the discs.

These are definitive performances by Adrian Boult in remastered stereo sound that is full & rich. I was fortunate to have purchased this music on vinyl over thirty years ago from the Musical Heritage Society, which licensed material from Lyrita for release in the United States. I loved these recordings then & love them even more now, especially as they are available on one handy cd in excellent sound.

Very highly recommended!"