Gustav Holst Biography Information and Photo Gallery

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--I wrote this Biography for a music history class in college, and have decided to share it with other Holst fans. See the bottom of this page for pictures and other sources of information on Gustav Holst.--

Gustav Holst was both on September 21st, 1874 in Cheltenham, England. He was the first of two children by Adolph and Clara von Holst. His family is of swedish origin, and his ancestors lived in both Russia and Germany prior to migrating to England. Gustav's father was an accomplished pianist, and often times didn't have enough time to take care of Gustav's needs, such as his week eyesight and asthma (which were both mostly ignored on his parent's behalf).

Gustav enjoyed the piano from an early age and started practicing as soon as he could reach the keys. His father attempted to make Gustav an accomplished pianist, however Gustav's neuritis prevented his piano career from ever taking off.

In 1893 Gustav served as an organist at Wick Rissington, a small Cotswold village. This was his first professional employment. Shortly afterwards he also was contracted as organist and choirmaster at Bourton-on-the-Water. In 1892, inspired by Arthur Sullivan, Gustav composed Lansdown Castle, a two-act light opera (operetta). It was produced at Cheltenham Corn Exchange and was very successful. Gustav's father was impressed and sent Gustav to the Royal College of Music (RCM), where he studied composition with Charles Stanford. It was around his time at the RCM that Gustav became an ardent Richard Wagner admirer.

Due to Gustav's neuritis, he decided to take up Trombone to help make ends meet. This served to not only bring in an income but gave him valuable experience as a part of an orchestra. He also became quite good and later gave lessons. In 1895 Gustav won an open scholarship for composition, which in combination with his small trombone playing income, allowed him to continue his studies at the RCM.

After accepting the scholarship, Gustav wrote his first real opera, The Revoke, which was composed under the guidance of his professor Charles Stanford. In 1895 Gustav met Ralph Vaughan Williams, whom he became friends with for the rest of his life.

Gustav joined the Hammersmith Socialist Club and conducted the Choir at William Morris' house in Hammersmith Mall. He fell in love with Isobel Harrison, his youngest soprano, whom he married later in 1901. She helped improve his diet and appearance (he had been a vegetarian, which worked to diminish his health).

In 1898 the Carl Rosa Opera Company offered Gustav a position as first trombone, which he took. Gustav also coached soloists. During his time playing trombone in an orchestra, he gained valuable experience for his conducting career, as he could now hear the music as he composed it.

In 1895 Gustav became interested in Hindu philosophy and Sanskrit literature. Gustav learned Sanskrit so he could translate the text himself and transform it into musical compositions. In 1899 Gustav began work on an opera, Sita, which is based on the Hindu epic Ramayana. He didn't finish it until 1906, and it was never performed, however it gave him a great deal of experience. His musical style was becoming less derivative and more direct. In 1900 Gustav wrote his Cotswold Symphony and Ave Maria (Ave Maria was Gustav's first published piece).

Gustav continued composing, but often had trouble getting published. Then he was asked to deputize for the singing teacher at James Allen School in Dulwich. That started Gustav's career as a teacher. In 1905 Gustav was appointed director of Music at St. Paul's Girls School in Hammersmith. The same year Gustav conducted his Mystic Trumpeter at Queens Whitman Hall. Thereafter Gustav's music became influenced by English folksong more.

Gustav was later appointed Musical Director at the Morley College for Working Men and Women. He brought in a great deal of music students which turned music classes there into a success.

After some more disappointment, Gustav went to work at the new music wing of St. Paul's, which was well equipped and where he wrote his St. Paul's Suite.

In 1917, Gustav wrote The Hymn of Jesus. Like with his Hindu pieces, Gustav learned Greek to translate the original hymn. He gave much thought to the meaning of the words so he could bring the spirit of the poem out as much as possible. During this time Gustav was also beginning his work on The Planets, which was first performed in the autumn of 1918.

World War I had been happening for quite some time now, but Gustav was never accepted as a soldier due to his physical state. To Gustav's delight, he was not entirely excluded from the war. During the end of the war, Gustav was offered the post of Musical Organizer for educational work among the troops in the Near East. WW1 was the biggest event that happened in Gustav's life. It affected his work and his patriotism. Gustav wanted to go fight in the war and support his country, and if his physical problems hadn't held him back, he may very well have died never to have composed The Planets! Gustav started his work on The Planets the same year the war broke out, and finished it 2 years later during the height of the war. It is very likely that the suite drew a great deal of influence from the struggles England was going through at the time.

Gustav came back home in 1919, and took up more teaching posts. From 1920 on Gustav became more financially successful, making over a thousand pounds in one year for the first time.

Gustav's The Planets suite was a huge success, however due to an injury and depression it brought him little joy. For nearly a year later, on doctor's orders, he did no work and recovered from his head injury. In 1925 Gustav returned to work teaching and composing, however did not have any success. His works were often considered too complicated, difficult, or dull.

Amidst mostly failed works, in 1930 Gustav wrote his Double Concerto for two violins, which received mostly positive (although mixed) reviews. He received a Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society after the first performance of his Double Concerto.

Gustav died on the 25th of May in 1934 after a successful operation. Unfortunately his heart was not strong enough to recover despite the success. A great deal of Gustav Holst's works were not appreciated at the time, however later became popular.

Click on the thumbnails to open a new window with the full-size image.

Eder, Bruce. Gustav Holst. All Music Guide. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/holst_gustav/bio.jhtml [March 9, 2008]
Lace, Ian. A Biography of Gustav Holst. http://www.gustavholst.info/biography/index.php [March 9, 2008]
Trussler, Bryan. Gustav Holst: The Planets Suite. http://www.aquarianage.org/lore/holst.html [March 9, 2008]

Information Websites:
http://www.gustavholst.info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Holst
http://www.aquarianage.org/lore/holst.html

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