Gustav holst choral hymns from the rig veda, group 1 1908. The third group of hymns from the rig veda, in particular, is in no way inferior to holsts best passages from the planets. Born in cheltenham in 1874, holst is remembered today principally for his popular orchestral work the planets, though his considerable output encompassed opera, ballet and. T, hoists work, controlled by refinement and musician choral hymns from the rigveda words and music by gustav t.
While on tour with the carl rosa company holst had read some of max mullers books, which inspired in him a keen interest in sanskrit texts, particularly the rig veda hymns. Holst set 14 of these hymns in his four groups of choral hymns, which were fairly popular during his lifetime, but have seldom been. A good friend, ralph vaughan williams, was an early influence on his writing, but holsts music is highly original. Royal college of music chamber choir conducted by david willcocks harpist. Choral hymns from the rig veda for satb chorus and orchestra, groups i and iv, op. John, he learned greek in order to read the original and. I believe the third group of the choral hymns of the rig veda to be some of the most beautiful pieces for female choir ever written. Hymns from the rig veda two eastern pictures hymn to. T, hoists work, controlled by refinement and musician choral hymns from the rig veda words and music by gustav t. The third group of hymns from the rig veda, in particular, is in no way inferior to holst s best passages from the planets. Between 1908 and 1912 he set ten of those hymns in. Gustav holst was well known for his passionate interest in mysticism.
Gustav holst the british library the british library. Savitri janet baker, mezzosoprano robert tear, tenor thomas helmsley, bass the purcell singers english chamber orchestra imogen holst. To celebrate its 70th birthday, the maitrise of radio france conducted by sofi jeannin performs gustav holst s hymn to vena from choral hymns from the rig veda. Choral hymns from the rig veda translated from the sanskrit by gustav holst. Gustav holst at pytheas pytheas center for contemporary music.
Gustav holst choral hymns from the rig veda, group. Gustav holst choral hymns from the rig veda, group 2 1909 duration. He found the existing english versions of the texts unconvincing, n 9 and decided to make his own translations, despite his lack of skills as a linguist. In 1907 he bought a translation of the 3,000year old collection of vedic hymns known as the rig veda. That holst knows and loves his bach is evident from the following quotation from the comparatively early mystic trumpeter. Choral hymns from the rig veda bbc proms 20 youtube. Jul 06, 2012 as well as savitri, he completed the vedic hymns for voice and piano, and started on four sets of choral hymns from the rig veda parts of the latter two will also be performed at cheltenham. Shorts access to holst s letters and diaries, as well as his close work with holst s daughter imogen have resulted in the most detailed book on the composers life and music yet to appear. Below is a sortable list of compositions by gustav holst. Gustav holst, janet baker, robert tear, thomas hemsley, imogen holst, purcell singers, english chamber orchestra. Gustav holsts choral hymns from the rig veda the british library. Gustav holst s planets suite has become established as one of the classics of twentiethcentury orchestral music. Second group three hymns for female voices, with accompaniment for orchestra or piano with violins ad lib. Ssaa choir, harp or piano sheet music book by gustav holst 18741934.
As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering value to the reader. John, he learned greek in order to read the original and make his own translation for his hymn of jesus. A history of classical music in 50 short pieces the telegraph. Thoughts on choral hymns from the rig veda serenade. In the eight books books 2 through 9 that were composed the earliest, the hymns. As well as savitri, he completed the vedic hymns for voice and piano, and started on four sets of choral hymns from the rig veda parts of the latter two will also be performed at cheltenham. Christmas day a choral fantasy on old carols, was written in 1910 shortly after gustav holst had finished the three groups of choral hymns from the rig veda and around the same time as the first suite in. The evening watch, an album by gustav holst, dame janet baker, robert tear, thomas hemsley, the purcell singers, english chamber orchestra, imogen holst on spotify.
It also documents a fascinating interplay between western music and the study of the vedas, casting insight onto one of the influences that most marked the young holst s spiritual development. Gustav holst biography, albums, streaming links allmusic. Holst choral hymns from the rigveda the purcell singers osian ellis, harp imogen holst. Choral hymns from the rigveda, group 3 by gustav holst 1874. Leopold classic library is delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive collection.
Gustav holst choral hymns from the rig veda, group 3 1910. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A century ago, james causley windram, then band director of the 5th northumberland fusiliers and later the coldstream guards asked gustav holst if he would transcribe some of the composers hymns from the rig veda for military band. Aug 30, 2016 gustav holst choral hymns from the rig veda, group 2 1909 duration. Shorts access to holsts letters and diaries, as well as his close work with holsts daughter imogen have resulted in the most detailed book on the composers life and music yet to appear. Mixed chorus and op, 26 classic reprint gustav holst on. It also documents a fascinating interplay between western music and the study of the vedas, casting insight onto one of the influences that most. The bangalore men an allmale voices ensemble led by jonas olsson, voice faculty at bangalore school of music will present choral hymns, set by. The rig veda is a set of over hymns singing the praises of the sacred plant soma and gods like varuna, agni, and indra brought by indoeuropean speaking peoples into india somewhere around 1500 b.
In the eight books books 2 through 9 that were composed the earliest, the hymns predominantly discuss cosmology and praise deities. Battle hymn choral hymns from the rig veda, group 1, no. Ode to death words by walt whitman set for chorus and orchestra. Thus we have the delectably rippling choral hymns from the rig veda, op. Choral hymns from the rig veda holst singers, hilary davan wetton conductor mp3. Gustav holst was one of the most original composers of his generation, drawing influences both from the english madrigal and folksong traditions and from hindu philosophy. Books by gustav holst author of the planets in full score. S6 first group three hymns for full chorus and orchestra vocal score, is.
Everything about holsts most familiar music is quintessentially british, perfectly evoking rolling green hills, games of cricket in the sunshine and jam scones. Gustav holst choral hymns from the rig veda third group. Gustav theodore holst september 21, 1874 may 25, 1934 chorus. All the pieces had english text, translated from sanskrit by the composer himself, and put to music in the western classical tradition, but rarely performed these days. Gustav holst usage terms public domain held by british library shelfmark. The rigveda samhita is the core text, and is a collection of 10 books maalas with 1,028 hymns suktas in about 10,600 verses called. Gustav holst, david willcocks, royal philharmonic orchestra, osian ellis, royal college of music chamber choir holst. Savitri, choral hymns from the rig veda by osian ellis, gustav holst, imogen holst, robert tear, english chamber orchestra, the purcell singers, janet baker from amazons classical music store. Nicholas kok conducts the bbc singers and the nash ensemble in holsts choral hymns from the rig veda, op 26 group 3. As sheherazade outwitted the calif at some cost to her storytelling resources so savitri yet more craftily trounces death strange how he sticks to the bargain in the 30 minute opera that bears her name. Through his genuine interest in ancient indian culture, holst was inspired to compose four sets of songs based on the sacred hymns of the rig veda. Shop and buy choral hymns from the rigveda, group 3 sheet music.