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Gustav Holst

List of Compositions

The Brook Green Suite (for strings), was one of Holst’s last works. It was written for his pupils, and was given its first performance by them in March 1934, two months before his death in May of that year.

This charming, indeed wistful, Air, the second movement of the suite, translates readily into an organ voluntary. The late Michael Dawney’s arrangement dates from May 1991 when it was issued by Oecumuse. Michael readily admitted to me that he was ‘no organist’; this is clear - for example, one short quaver passage has been placed unnecessarily and inconveniently for pedals at 8’. Other details have been tidied up to make the music more user-friendly. Whenever your publisher plays this piece as a voluntary it occasions favourable comment.

The textures of this beautiful movement from the well known suite for brass band work well on the organ.

This charming short carol was written in 1917 and published in 1919. It seems to have escaped general notice. This edition has been made from a copy of the composer’s own manuscript which, while untidy, is mostly accurate. The editorial interventions have been indicated in the usual manner.

The manuscript states that the accompanying instrument is ‘Piano’, but there would seem to be no reason why the organ may not be used. If this is the case, there is no need to employ the pedals (which would be quite awkward to manage) but a 16-foot stop on one of the manuals might be found to be effective.

The first recording ever of this piece (with organ) is available on EM Records ‘Alpha and Omega, Gustav Holst Christmas Music’ EMR CD 062

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Last updated: 01/10/23 14:05:11