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The Duty of a Teacher

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gustav Holst. From his hospital bed, Holst never stops composing - or teaching

We often think of composers as solitary geniuses, scribbling away at their masterpieces, working alone. But this isn鈥檛 always the case. Gustav Holst, most famous for composing The Planets, struggled all his life with neuritis, a condition that made his arms feel like 鈥渏elly overcharged with electricity.鈥 It was frequently impossible for him to play or even write, so, to bring his vision of our solar system to life, he needed help. This week, Donald Macleod charts Holst鈥檚 interplanetary expedition and discovers the unsung heroes who placed him amongst the stars.

In this programme, Donald follows Holst鈥檚 final years, a time when he withdrew from the public eye and learned to love composing again.

Scherzo for Orchestra, H192聽
麻豆视频AV Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis

Hammersmith - Prelude and Scherzo, H178, Op 52聽
Dallas Wind Symphony, conducted by Howard Dunn聽

Egdon Heath Op. 47 (1st mvt, Adagio - Poco Allegro - Andante maestoso)聽
麻豆视频AV Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis聽

Brook Green Suite聽
English Sinfonia, conducted by Howard Griffiths聽

The Planets, Op 32 (Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity) arr. for two pianos聽
Len Vorster, piano
Robert Chamberlain, piano

Produced by Alice McKee for 麻豆视频AV Audio Wales & West

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Today 16:00

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