Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Gustav Holst was born in England on September 21, 1874. His father was a piano teacher and organist and his mother was a singer who died when Gustav was 8. Holst also had a brother, Emil, who became an actor in Hollywood and appeared in many movies in the 1930s.

Holst experienced many health problems for much of his life and was introduced to music by his father to help him cope with his poor health. It was believed practicing the piano would help his hands, and the trombone would strengthen his lungs. Holst’s first attempts at composing music began when he was 12 years old. As a teenager, some of his compositions won small prizes in amateur competitions, but Holst did not experience a breakthrough as a composer until later in his life. As a young man, Holst entered the Royal College of Music where he studied composition. While there, he wrote piano and organ pieces, songs and a symphony.

Because Holst’s early compositions did not become well known, he turned his attention to teaching. In 1905, when Holst was about 30 years old, he became the director of music at St. Paul’s Girls’ School in London, England. He held this job until his death in 1934. In 1913, the school opened a new music wing, and Holst composed his now famous piece called Suite for Strings, for the occasion. The new building contained a sound-proof room where Holst could work undisturbed.

As World War I began, many of Holst’s friends and colleagues joined the army. Holst tried to enlist, but his poor health prevented him from joining. Instead, he was offered an opportunity by the YMCA to teach music to soldiers who were stationed in Greece and Turkey to help them take their minds off the horrible war. It was during the war that Holst composed his most famous work called The Planets. Its first public performance took place following the war in 1920, and it was an instant success making Holst very popular internationally. Holst was always a very shy person and did not like the fame that this his work brought to him. He preferred to be left in peace to compose and teach.

Even though he struggled with poor health, Holst continued to compose music until his death. Holst considered one of his final choral pieces, Ogdon Heath, to be his greatest masterpiece. Holst died on May 25, 1934, following stomach surgery on an ulcer.

The Planets

Holst is best known for his large orchestral work called The Planets. It's made up of seven movements that are meant to describe the planets from our solar system. This piece has influenced countless musicians over the past 100 years.