Gustav Holst, b Cheltenham (1874-1924), was an English composer, arranger and teacher whose suite ‘The Planets’ is one of the best-known pieces of classical music ever written.
Holst’s works were played frequently in the early years of the 20th century, but it was not until the international success of The Planets in the years immediately after the First World War that he became a well-known figure.
His music combines an international flavour based on the styles of Ravel and Stravinsky, and others with a continuation of English Romanticism. His solo instrument was the trombone, and for some years after leaving the college he made his living as a trombone player in the Carl Rosa Opera Company and in various orchestras.
He was an important influence on a number of younger English composers, including Michael Tippett and Benjamin Britten.
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