Author Description
Gustav Holst's "Planets" suite has become established as one of the classics of twentieth-century orchestral music. Short's access to Holst's letters and diaries, as well as his close work with Holst's daughter Imogen have resulted in the most detailed book on the composer's life and music yet to appear. Containing new information which has become available since Imogen Holst published a biography of her father fifty years ago, this book includes an analysis of Holst's musical style and a substantial reference section.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This biography investigates the life and creative evolution of Gustav Holst, seeking to provide a comprehensive account of the composer's development beyond his most famous work. Michael J. Short utilizes primary source materials, including personal letters and diaries, to construct a detailed portrait of the man behind the music. By collaborating with the composer's daughter, Imogen Holst, the author synthesizes historical records with musical analysis to update the existing biographical record.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed biographical narrative of Gustav Holst's life
- Analysis of Holst's musical style and compositional techniques
- Extensive reference section for further research
Scope Limits
- Does not provide a complete musicological score analysis for every minor work
- Focuses primarily on the composer's life rather than the broader socio-political context of the era
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and musicologists recognize this text as a significant update to the biographical literature on Holst, particularly due to the author's access to private family archives. Readers frequently note the thoroughness of the research and the value of the included reference materials for students of twentieth-century music.
Page Count:
560
Publication Date:
1990-11-08
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019314154X
ISBN-13:
9780193141544
Music
Biography
Non-Fiction
Music History
Great Britain
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