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Fool in Music

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. At college, Holst meets his match in fellow composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

We often think of composers as solitary geniuses, scribbling away at their masterpieces, working alone. But this isn’t always the case. Gustav Holst, most famous for composing The Planets, struggled all his life with neuritis, a condition that made his arms feel like β€œjelly overcharged with electricity.” It was frequently impossible for him to play or even write, so, to bring his vision of our solar system to life, he needed help. This week, Donald Macleod charts Holst’s interplanetary expedition and discovers the unsung heroes who placed him amongst the stars.

In today’s programme, Donald discovers how Holst formed one of the most important and longest lasting friendships of his life, with his fellow student Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Planets, Op 32 (Saturn)
London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir JurowskiΒ 

Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op 26 (3rd Group, H99)Β 
Grace Cloutier, harp
Etherea Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Derek Greten-HarrisonΒ 

The Hymn of Jesus, Op37 / H 140 (Hymn II, Hymn III, Hymn IV)Β 
London Symphony Chorus, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles GrovesΒ 

5 Partsongs, Op 12, H 61Β Β 
The Choir of King’s College London, conducted by Joseph Fort

Produced by Alice McKee for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Audio Wales & West

27 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Gustav Holst

    The Planets, Op 32 (5th mvt, Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age)

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vladimir Jurowski.
    • LPO: LPO0047.
    • LPO.
    • 5.
  • Gustav Holst

    Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda.,Op 26 No 3

    Performer: Grace Cloutier. Choir: Etherea Vocal Ensemble. Director: Derek Greten-Harrison.
    • DELOS : DE-3431.
    • DELOS.
    • 1.
  • Gustav Holst

    The Hymn of Jesus, Op 37 (excerpt)

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Charles Groves. Choir: St Paul's Cathedral Choir. Choir: London Symphony Chorus.
    • EMI : CDM 5-651128 2.
    • EMI.
    • 1.
  • Gustav Holst

    Five Part-Songs, Op 12

    Choir: Choir of King’s College, London. Director: Joseph Fort.
    • DELPHIAN : DCD-34241.
    • DELPHIAN.
    • 19.
  • Gustav Holst

    The Planets, Op 32 (5th mvt, Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age)

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vladimir Jurowski.
    • LPO: LPO0047.
    • LPO.
    • 5.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Stabat mater, RV 621

    Singer: Andreas Scholl. Ensemble: Ensemble 415. Director: Chiara Banchini.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony no.86 in D major (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Le Concert de la Loge. Conductor: Julien Chauvin.
    • Haydn: Stabat Mater, Symphonies Parisiennes Nos. 84 & 86.
    • ΄‘±θ²Ή°ω³ΩΓ©.
    • 211.

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  • Tuesday 16:00

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