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About Holst
 
About Gustav Holst
 
 
 
Gustav Holst was born here at 4 Clarence Road, Cheltenham on 21 September 1874. Although chiefly remembered today as the composer of 'The Planets', he was a prolific composer who wrote in practically every classical genre from solo-song and chamber pieces to massively scored orchestral works and opera. His compositions are intensely original and individual; he was inspired by sources as diverse as Sanskrit and English folk-song and he had an innate understanding of the descriptive qualities of orchestral instruments and the human voice.

After studying at the Royal College of Music, (where he and Vaughan Williams became life-long friends), he worked for the Carl Rosa Opera Company and the Scottish Orchestra playing the trombone, before settling down to a busy life of teaching and composing. He became music teacher at Dulwich Girls' School (1903-20), director of music at St Paul's Girls' School, Hammersmith (1905-34), music director at Morley College (1907-24) and in 1919 professor of music at University College, Reading. A friend of William Morris in his youth, Holst believed passionately in the community spirit of music and that music should be accessible to everyone.

Enter 4 Clarence Road and you see the house much as the young Gustav did when he was growing up here in the 1870s. The house is the only example in Gloucestershire of a Victorian-Edwardian family home complete with the furnishings and utensils of that period.

The Holst Birthplace Trust aims to honour the life and promote the music of Gustav Holst and encourage the performance and understanding of his work.


 

 

 

 

 

Holst’s Birthday Concert 'Details to be announced'
Saturday the 19th [26th] at 7.00pm at All Saints’ Church
£15 (Friends £12)**

October
Holst & Hardy
Words & Music with Gordon Pullen & David Barlow
Thursday the 22nd at 7.00pm in the Museum
£8 (Friends £5)**

November
Event to be announced

December
Victorian Family Christmas Day
Saturday the 12th,10.00am-4.00pm at the Museum
Drop-in fun for the family
Children free with paying adult*

In addition to these events, children’s craft activities take place in the school holidays. Check the website or contact the museum for further information.

Key:
* Come along - no prior booking necessary.
** Please send a cheque & SAE to HBM for tickets; tickets may be available on the door, subject to availability.
***Please send a cheque & SAE to HBM for tickets

Send ticket requests to: Holst Birthplace Museum,
4 Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL52 2AY
For further information, ring the Museum on
01242 524846

Exhibition Calendar:
The Lediards & Whatleys of Gloucestershire:
A Holst Family History
21 February to 16 May

Commemorating Holst:
75 years since the death of the composer
23 May - 19 September

New Acquisitions: Recent additions to the Holst Archive
26 September - 12 December

Exhibitions open during Museum opening hours:
10.00am to 4.00pm Tuesday through Saturday

 
 
 
Copyright Gustav Holst Birthplace Museum | Website by Dinesh Chimanlal Patel