Imogen Holst (1907-1984)

Donald Macleod explores the early influences Gustav Holst had upon his daughter Imogen.

Imogen Holst was a significant part of the British classical music scene during the twentieth century. Holst was prominent as a composer, conductor, writer on music, teacher, administrator and artistic director. She also worked as an amanuensis to Benjamin Britten. As the daughter of Gustav Holst, Imogen was raised in an artistic environment, and her early aspirations were to be a dancer. She studied at the Royal College of Music where she won a number of prizes and awards, and developed a passion for British folksong. During World War Two, Holst travelled the UK to support cultural activities, and she established the famous music education centre at Dartington Hall in Devon. There followed an invitation to Aldeburgh where she would support Benjamin Britten for many years in his compositional activities. Holst later became an Artistic Director for the Aldeburgh Festival. She wrote many books, including studies of Britten and her father. In later in life, she was active in cataloguing her father's compositions and preparing them for publication. Throughout this exceptionally busy career, including establishing the Purcell Singers and giving radio interviews, Imogen Holst continued to compose and wrote many works from choral pieces and folksong arrangements, to concertos and string quartets. Her considerable output as a composer is only just beginning to be appreciated, and throughout this series we also hear archive recordings of Holst in interview.

From an early age Imogen Holst showed musical talent, which was encouraged by her father Gustav. Holst received private musical training, and would eventually study at the Royal College of Music with eminent teachers such as George Dyson, Gordon Jacob and Kathleen Long. Holst had originally wanted to be a dancer, but it was on health grounds that this training was sadly stopped. It was also due to issues relating to her health, that a career as a concert pianist was also cut short. However, Holst's time studying in London at the conservatoire was used well, not only getting involved as a performer, composer and conductor, but Holst also became greatly involved with the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Folk music and dance would remain an interest for Holst for the rest of her life

Persephone (excerpt)

BBC Concert Orchestra

Alice Farnham, conductor

Agnus Dei (Mass in A minor)

The Pembroke College Girls' Choir

The Chapel Choir of Pembroke College, Cambridge

Anna Lapwood, conductor

Allegro assai

Theme and Variations

Duncan Honeybourne, piano

String Quartet (Phantasy)

Simon Hewitt Jones, violin

David Worswick, violin

Ton Hankey, viola

Oliver Coates, cello

Produced by Luke Whitlock

Donald Macleod delves into the early life of Imogen Holst.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

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Holst returns to the UK and tries to find the right job. With Donald Macleod.

Imogen Holst was a significant part of the British classical music scene during the twentieth century. Holst was prominent as a composer, conductor, writer on music, teacher, administrator and artistic director. She also worked as an amanuensis to Benjamin Britten. As the daughter of Gustav Holst, Imogen was raised in an artistic environment, and her early aspirations were to be a dancer. She studied at the Royal College of Music where she won a number of prizes and awards, and developed a passion for British folksong. During World War Two, Holst travelled the UK to support cultural activities, and she established the famous music education centre at Dartington Hall in Devon. There followed an invitation to Aldeburgh where she would support Benjamin Britten for many years in his compositional activities. Holst later became an Artistic Director for the Aldeburgh Festival. She wrote many books, including studies of Britten and her father. In later in life, she was active in cataloguing her father's compositions and preparing them for publication. Throughout this exceptionally busy career, including establishing the Purcell Singers and giving radio interviews, Imogen Holst continued to compose and wrote many works from choral pieces and folksong arrangements, to concertos and string quartets. Her considerable output as a composer is only just beginning to be appreciated, and throughout this series we also hear archive recordings of Holst in interview.

During Imogen Holst's time studying in London at the Royal College of Music, she had also begun to travel abroad including France, Spain and also Canada. Towards the end of her studies Holst was now awarded a grant to support further travels abroad where she could immerse herself in other musical cultures, although often she was wondering where her next meal would come from. Once Holst returned to the UK, she tried out a number of employment opportunities such as a Music Director in Bath, and then working for the English Folk Dance and Song Society. However the main role Holst undertook during the 1930s was as a teacher, where she would have a significant impact introducing her pupils to modern music.

Come Under My Plaidie (Two Scottish Airs)

Catherine Wilners, cello

Simon Marlow, piano

Gigue (Suite for Viola)

Rosalind Ventris, viola

On Westhall Hill

BBC Concert Orchestra

Alice Farnham, conductor

Sonata for Violin and Cello

Simon Hewitt Jones, violin

Oliver Coates, cello

Prelude and Dance

Duncan Honeybourne, piano

Three Psalms

Choir of Clare College, Cambridge

The Dmitri Ensemble

Graham Ross, director

Produced by Luke Whitlock

Donald Macloed follows Imogen Holst as she experiences music around Europe.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

Imogen Holst returns to the UK and tries to find the right job. Presented by Donald Macleod.

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Donald Macleod explores Imogen Holst's time as a teacher at Dartington and then in India.

Imogen Holst was a significant part of the British classical music scene during the twentieth century. Holst was prominent as a composer, conductor, writer on music, teacher, administrator and artistic director. She also worked as an amanuensis to Benjamin Britten. As the daughter of Gustav Holst, Imogen was raised in an artistic environment, and her early aspirations were to be a dancer. She studied at the Royal College of Music where she won a number of prizes and awards, and developed a passion for British folksong. During World War Two, Holst travelled the UK to support cultural activities, and she established the famous music education centre at Dartington Hall in Devon. There followed an invitation to Aldeburgh where she would support Benjamin Britten for many years in his compositional activities. Holst later became an Artistic Director for the Aldeburgh Festival. She wrote many books, including studies of Britten and her father. In later in life, she was active in cataloguing her father's compositions and preparing them for publication. Throughout this exceptionally busy career, including establishing the Purcell Singers and giving radio interviews, Imogen Holst continued to compose and wrote many works from choral pieces and folksong arrangements, to concertos and string quartets. Her considerable output as a composer is only just beginning to be appreciated, and throughout this series we also hear archive recordings of Holst in interview.

During World War Two Imogen Holst became a Music Traveller for CEMA, the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts. Holst was free to go where she liked and do what she liked, encouraging others in music and the wider arts. Holst worked tirelessly and in 1942 she was forced to resign, due to exhaustion. Soon came an offer by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst to visit Dartington, where they wanted Holst to be instrumental in the setting up of educational activities. This was an opportunity for Holst to shape future teachers of music and, once again, she threw herself in with gusto. Once the course was up an running, there were daily performance opportunities for the students, and Holst was not only busy as a teacher, but also as a conductor. It was through this connection with the Elmhirsts that Holst also had an opportunity to visit India, to teach music and to learn about Indian culture too.

A shower among the birch trees (Six Pieces from Finland)

Duncan Honeybourne, piano

Crab-fish (Four Somerset Folk Songs)

Mailys de Villoutreys, voice

Anaïs Bertrand, voice

Lucile Richadot, voice

Mill Field (Four Easy Pieces)

Yue Yu, viola

Anthony Hewitt, piano

Suite for Strings

BBC Concert Orchestra

Alice Farnham, conductor

String Quartet No 1

The Brindisi String Quartet

Welcome Joy and Welcome Sorrow

Choir of Clare College, Cambridge

Tanya Houghton, harp

Graham Ross, director

Produced by Luke Whitlock

Donald Macleod follows Imogen Holst's adventures during and after World War Two.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

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Donald Macleod delves into the period when Imogen Holst moved to Aldeburgh to work with Britten.

Imogen Holst was a significant part of the British classical music scene during the twentieth century. Holst was prominent as a composer, conductor, writer on music, teacher, administrator and artistic director. She also worked as an amanuensis to Benjamin Britten. As the daughter of Gustav Holst, Imogen was raised in an artistic environment, and her early aspirations were to be a dancer. She studied at the Royal College of Music where she won a number of prizes and awards, and developed a passion for British folksong. During World War Two, Holst travelled the UK to support cultural activities, and she established the famous music education centre at Dartington Hall in Devon. There followed an invitation to Aldeburgh where she would support Benjamin Britten for many years in his compositional activities. Holst later became an Artistic Director for the Aldeburgh Festival. She wrote many books, including studies of Britten and her father. In later in life, she was active in cataloguing her father's compositions and preparing them for publication. Throughout this exceptionally busy career, including establishing the Purcell Singers and giving radio interviews, Imogen Holst continued to compose and wrote many works from choral pieces and folksong arrangements, to concertos and string quartets. Her considerable output as a composer is only just beginning to be appreciated, and throughout this series we also hear archive recordings of Holst in interview.

In 1952 Benjamin Britten invited Imogen Holst to Aldeburgh to discuss the Festival he was planning. She soon moved there, and would remain there for the rest of her life. Holst became invaluable to Britten, acting as his amanuensis for many years; proof reading scores and preparing them for publication. In fact Holst became so taken up with her work for Britten and the Festival, that her own composing became secondary. However, Holst's work as a conductor continued to grow. Around the same time that Holst met Britten, she founded the Purcell Singers and worked with other choirs. A performance of Bach's St. John's Passion earned her widespread respect and admiration.

Imogen Holst, arr. Arthur Keegan

Weathers

Lotte Betts-Dean, mezzo-soprano

James Girling, guitar

Cinquepace (Suite for Viola)

Rosalind Ventris, viola

As I sat under a Holly Tree

Blossom Street

Hilary Campbell, director

A Hymne to Christ

Choir of Clare College, Cambridge

Graham Ross, director

Variations on “Loth to Depart”

BBC Concert Orchestra

Alice Farnham, conductor

The fall of the leaf

Steven Isserlis, cello

Festival Anthem “How Manifold are Thy Works”

BBC Singers

Produced by Luke Whitlock

Donald Macleod explores Imogen Holst's relationship with Britten.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

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Donald Macleod delves into Holst's final years when she composed her significant String Quintet.

Imogen Holst was a significant part of the British classical music scene during the twentieth century. Holst was prominent as a composer, conductor, writer on music, teacher, administrator and artistic director. She also worked as an amanuensis to Benjamin Britten. As the daughter of Gustav Holst, Imogen was raised in an artistic environment, and her early aspirations were to be a dancer. She studied at the Royal College of Music where she won a number of prizes and awards, and developed a passion for British folksong. During World War Two, Holst travelled the UK to support cultural activities, and she established the famous music education centre at Dartington Hall in Devon. There followed an invitation to Aldeburgh where she would support Benjamin Britten for many years in his compositional activities. Holst later became an Artistic Director for the Aldeburgh Festival. She wrote many books, including studies of Britten and her father. In later in life, she was active in cataloguing her father's compositions and preparing them for publication. Throughout this exceptionally busy career, including establishing the Purcell Singers and giving radio interviews, Imogen Holst continued to compose and wrote many works from choral pieces and folksong arrangements, to concertos and string quartets. Her considerable output as a composer is only just beginning to be appreciated, and throughout this series we also hear archive recordings of Holst in interview.

During Imogen Holst's final decades, she stepped back from her work with Benjamin Britten, although she remained very much involved with the Aldeburgh Festival and continued to live there. Her relationship with Britten had become intense and stifling, and Holst began to return her attention to her own music, and also to the music of her father. In these final years, Holst composed a number of significant works including her String Quintet. However, many years of working flat out started to catch up with her and Holst's health started to deteriorate. In 1984 Imogen Holst died of a heart attack, and was buried in Aldeburgh in a plot next to Britten.

Christopher Grogan's biography Imogen Holst: A Life in Music, has been a great help in the making of this series.

Timothy's Trot (Four Easy Pieces)

Yue Yu, viola

Anthony Hewitt, piano

What Man is He?

BBC Singers

BBC Concert Orchestra

Alice Farnham, conductor

Leiston Suite

Onyx Brass

John Wilson, conductor

Hallo my fancy, whither wilt thou go?

Choir of Clare College, Cambridge

Graham Ross, director

Simon Hewitt Jones, violin

David Worswick, violin

Ton Hankey, viola

Oliver Coates, cello

Thomas Hewitt Jones, cello

Mass in A minor (excerpt)

Produced by Luke Whitlock

Donald Macleod explores Imogen Holst's Indian Summer.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

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