A Comprehensive Biography of Composer Gustav Holst, with Correspondence and Diary Excerpts

Download or read book A Comprehensive Biography of Composer Gustav Holst, with Correspondence and Diary Excerpts written by Jon C. Mitchell and published by Edwin Mellen Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 730 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based upon and containing many of Holst's own personal letters, diaries and notebook entries, this study provides an intimate portrait of this larger-than-life personality. Many of Holst's innermost thoughts regarding musical composition, performance and music education are disclosed here. In addition, there is a significant amount of information concerning Holst's work ethics at all six of his places of employment. It also provides a view of the composer from this side of the Atlantic, shedding considerable light on Holst's plans and activities regarding his three American visits that is not found in the other biographies. A significant number of chapters are devoted to Holst's 1932 semester-long lectureship at Harvard University. The appendices include examples of Holst's manuscripts, thumbnail sketches of persons associated with his career, and (unique to this text) a chronological listing of his compositions.