September 21, 1874:
Gustavus Theodore von Holst is born at 4 Pittville Terrace (now Clarence Road) in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, the first of two children born to Adolphus von Holst, a pianist and organist, and Clara Cox Lediard, daughter of a solicitor. She is a singer and pianist and one of her husband’s pupils.
September 28, 1889:
The issue of this date of the Boy’s Own Paper announces prize winners in a musical composition competition. The sixth in order of merit of the 29 prizes in the junior division is Gustav Holst (15).
November 11, 1891:
The first documented public performance of Gustav Holst (17) takes place when he and his father play some of Brahms’ (58) Hungarian Dances at the Montpellier Rotunda, Cheltenham.
December 19, 1891:
Intermezzo for flute, clarinet and strings by Gustav Holst (17) is performed for the first time, in Montpelier Rotunda, Cheltenham.
April 21, 1892:
Arpeggio study for piano by Gustav Holst (17) is performed for the first time, in Constitution Hall, Oxford by the composer.
July 13, 1892:
A young, provincial organist named Gustav Holst (17) travels from his home in Cheltenham to London to see Götterdämmerung at Covent Garden conducted by Gustav Mahler (32). He is stunned, both by the music and its performance.
December 22, 1892:
Excerpts from Gustav Holst’s (18) operetta Lansdown Castle are performed for the first time, in the Assembly Rooms, Cheltenham conducted by the composer. See 7 February 1893.
February 7, 1893:
Lansdown Castle, an operetta by Gustav Holst (18) to words of Cunningham, is performed completely for the first time, at the Corn Exchange, Cheltenham the composer at the piano. See 22 December 1892.
May 8, 1895:
Duet for organ and trombone by Gustav Holst (20) is performed for the first time, in Highbury Congregational Church, Cheltenham, the composer at the keyboard.
November 20, 1895:
As part of the bicentennial of the death of Henry Purcell, the Royal College of Music presents, at the Lyceum Theatre, the first performance of Dido and Aeneas since the composer’s life. The work is directed by Charles Villiers Stanford (43) and the student participants include Ralph Vaughan Williams (23) and Gustav Holst (21).
March 26, 1897:
Clear and Cool op.5 for chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (22) to words of Kingsley is performed for the first time, in the Athenaeum, London. This is part of a choral and dramatic evening featuring Holst’s chorus, the Hammersmith Socialist Choir. Following the choral program, a one-act play is presented, The Anarchist by Fritz Hart, wherein Holst takes a leading role.
May 25, 1897:
Light Leaves Whisper for chorus by Gustav Holst (22) to words of Hart is performed for the first time, in Stafford (Lancaster) House, London. The work is one of two winners of prizes offered by the Magpie Musical Society, who perform it. It is the first major performance of a Holst work in London and receives a favorable review in The Times.
December 7, 1897:
Richard Strauss (33) conducts for the first time before a British audience, in Queen’s Hall, music of Wagner (†14), Mozart (†106) and himself. Among the trombonists is a Royal College of Music student named Gustav Holst (23).
February 5, 1898:
Two Brown Eyes, a song for voice and piano by Gustav Holst (23), is performed for the first time, in Hammersmith, London.
May 13, 1899:
Duet for two pianos by Gustav Holst (24) is performed for the first time, by the composer and his father in the Montpellier Rotunda, Cheltenham.
July 8, 1899:
Suite for string orchestra by Gustav Holst (24) is performed for the first time, in Princess’ Hall, Ladies College, Cheltenham.
May 23, 1901:
Ave Maria op.9b, for eight-part female choir, by Gustav Holst (26) is performed for the first time, in St. James’ Hall, London.
June 22, 1901:
Gustav Holst (26) marries Emily Isobel Harrison at the Fulham Registrar’s Office.
April 15, 1902:
Gustav Holst’s (27) children’s operetta Fairy Pantomime of Cinderella is performed for the first time, at St. Mary’s School, conducted by the composer.
April 22, 1902:
Four songs by Gustav Holst (27) are premiered at Cleveland Hall, London, including three of the Four Songs op.4 to words of Kingsley, Ibsen (tr. Archer), and Bridges, and Invocation to the Dawn op.15/1 to words from the Rig-Veda, translated by the composer.
April 24, 1902:
Gustav Holst’s (27) Symphony “The Cotswolds” op.8 is performed for the first time, in Bournemouth. The audience is appreciative but the critics are mixed.
May 1, 1902:
Love is Enough op.9a/1, a chorus by Gustav Holst (27) to words of Morris, is performed for the first time, at the Watford Public Library.
December 12, 1903:
Gustav Holst’s (29) song A Prayer for the Light, to words of Mackay, is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London. The composer submitted it to a song contest held by the baritone Charles Phillips. Holst did not win first prize, but Phillips performs it anyway.
April 20, 1904:
Gustav Holst (29) enters upon duties as teacher of class singing at James Allen’s Girls’ School in Southeast London. He was recommended by the last person to hold the job, Ralph Vaughan Williams (31). See 16 September 1904.
May 20, 1904:
The Suite de Ballet in Eb op.10 for orchestra by Gustav Holst (29) is performed for the first time, in St. James’ Hall, London, conducted by the composer.
June 8, 1904:
Four of the six songs op.16 by Gustav Holst (29) are performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London: Calm is the Morn, to words of Tennyson; My True Love Hath My Heart, to words of Sidney; Weep You No More, Sad Fountains, to an anonymous text; and Lovely Kind and Kindly Loving, to words of Breton.
September 16, 1904:
Gustav Holst’s (29) position as teacher of class singing at James Allen’s Girls’ School in Southeast London is made permanent. See 20 April 1904.
December 2, 1904:
In a concert in Bechstein Hall, London, several songs by Gustav Holst (30) are premiered. They are Soft and Gently op.4/3 to words of Heine; In a Wood op.15/4 to words of Hardy; I Will Not Let Thee Go op.15/6 to words of Bridges; Cradle Song op.16/5 to words of Blake; and Peace op.16/6 to words of Hyatt. The composer accompanies each at the piano. In the same performance, two song cycles by Ralph Vaughan Williams (32), The House of Life, to words of D. Rossetti, and Songs of Travel, to words of Stevenson, along with Orpheus with His Lute, a song to words of Shakespeare, are all performed for the first time. These are part of a concert of the works of Holst and Vaughan Williams which the latter produces at his own expense.
December 11, 1904:
The choral work Dream Tryst op.12/1 by Gustav Holst (30) to words of Thompson, is performed for the first time, in London, directed by the composer. This is part of the first concert by the Settlement Choral Society under its new director, Gustav Holst.
April 16, 1905:
The Sergeant’s Song op.15/3 for solo voices and piano by Gustav Holst (30) to words of Hardy, is performed for the first time, in London, the composer at the piano.
April 24, 1905:
Incidental music to Jonson’s play Pan’s Anniversary by Ralph Vaughan Williams (32) is performed for the first time, in Bancroft Gardens, Stratford-on-Avon conducted by the composer. In addition, Gustav Holst (30) contributes orchestrations of keyboard music and traditional melodies.
June 29, 1905:
The Mystic Trumpeter op.18 for soprano and orchestra by Gustav Holst (30) to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, conducted by the composer.
February 3, 1906:
Songs of the West op.21/1 for orchestra by Gustav Holst (31) is performed for the first time, in the Pump Room, Bath, the composer conducting.
July 19, 1906:
Two songs without words op.22 for chamber orchestra by Gustav Holst (31) are performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music in London, under the baton of the composer.
April 8, 1907:
Gustav Holst (32) is hired as a teacher at Morley College in London.
November 16, 1907:
Three of the Hymns from the Rig-Veda for solo voice and piano op.24/1,6,9 by Gustav Holst (33), to his own translation, are performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London. Also on the program is the premiere of Holst’s song The Heart Worships, to words of Brockton.
January 9, 1908:
Results of a competition for an opera by an English composer, offered by Ricordi of Milan, are announced. The Angelus of Edward Woodall Naylor wins. Second place goes to Sita by Gustav Holst (33).
April 4, 1908:
King Estmere op.17 for chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (33) to anonymous words is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
December 19, 1908:
Three folksong arrangements for chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (34) are performed for the first time, at Morley College, London: On the Banks of the Nile, The Willow Tree, and Our Ship She Lies in the Harbour.
February 20, 1909:
Two of the Four Old English Carols op.20b by Gustav Holst (34), to anonymous words, for chorus and piano, are performed for the first time, in Blackburn, Lancashire. See 26 March 1909.
March 26, 1909:
Four Old English Carols op.20b by Gustav Holst (34) for chorus and piano, are given their first complete performance, in Blackburn, Lancashire. See 20 February 1909.
May 4, 1909:
Incidental music to The Stepney Children’s Pageant op.27b by Gustav Holst (34) is performed for the first time, in Whitechapel Art Gallery, London.
May 10, 1909:
Two of the Hymns from the Rig-Veda op.24/4-5 for voice and piano, translated by the composer, Gustav Holst (34), are performed for the first time, in the Hotel Cecil, London.
July 22, 1909:
Incidental music to the masque The Vision of Dame Christian op.27a by Gustav Holst (34) is performed for the first time, at St. Paul’s Girls School, London, under the baton of the composer.
April 6, 1910:
A Somerset Rhapsody op.21/2 for orchestra by Gustav Holst (35) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London conducted by the composer.
January 28, 1911:
Christmas Day for chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (36) is performed for the first time, at Morley College, London.
March 16, 1911:
The third group of Choral Hymns from the Rig-Veda by Gustav Holst (36) to his own translation, for female chorus, harp, and orchestra, is performed for the first time, in Blackburn.
March 22, 1911:
The second group of Choral Hymns from the Rig-Veda by Gustav Holst (36) to his own translation, for female chorus and orchestra, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
April 6, 1911:
The Fantasiestücke op.2 for oboe and string quartet by Gustav Holst (36) are performed for the first time, at the Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club.
April 28, 1911:
One of the Hymns from the Rig-Veda for solo voice and piano op.24/3a by Gustav Holst (36) to his own translation, is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.
May 2, 1911:
Invocation op.19/2 for cello and orchestra by Gustav Holst (36) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
June 10, 1911:
The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell (†216) is performed for the first time since the life of the composer, in Royal Victoria Hall, London, in a production by Morley College students led by Gustav Holst (36).
November 28, 1911:
Hymns from the Rig-Veda op.24 for solo voice and piano by Gustav Holst (37) to his own translation, is given its first complete performance, in Bechstein Hall, London.
December 6, 1911:
The first group of Choral Hymns from the Rig-Veda, by Gustav Holst (37) to his own translation, for chorus and orchestra, is performed for the first time, in Newcastle.
March 21, 1912:
Two Eastern Pictures for female chorus and harp by Gustav Holst (37) to words of Kalidasa, translated by the composer, is performed for the first time, in Blackburn Town Hall.
May 1, 1912:
Gustav Holst’s (37) oriental suite Beni Mora op.29/1 is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
July 23, 1912:
Two new works for orchestra are performed for the first time, in Queen's Hall, London, their respective composers conducting: Ralph Vaughan Williams’ (39) suite from his incidental music to The Wasps, and Phantastes Suite by Gustav Holst (37). See 26 November 1909.
July 1, 1913:
A new Music Wing is dedicated at St. Paul’s Girls School, London. This is where the school’s music teacher, Gustav Holst (38), will do most of his composing.
March 10, 1914:
Hymn to Dionysus op.31/2 for female chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (39), to words of Euripedes (tr. Murray), is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting.
March 18, 1914:
The Fourth Set of Choral Hymns from the Rig-Veda op.26, for male chorus, brass, strings, and percussion by Gustav Holst (39) to his own translation, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
May 6, 1914:
The Homecoming for male chorus by Gustav Holst (39) to words of Hardy, is performed for the first time, in the Winter Gardens Theatre, Morecambe, Lancashire.
November 5, 1914:
Incidental music to Masefield’s play Philip the King by Gustav Holst (40) is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
April 4, 1915:
A Nunc dimittis for chorus by Gustav Holst (40) is performed for the first time, in Westminster Cathedral, London.
March 21, 1916:
Pastoral, for women’s chorus by Gustav Holst (41) to anonymous words, is performed for the first time, in New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
May 27, 1916:
The first of the Six Choral Folk Songs op.36b by Gustav Holst (41) is performed for the first time, at Central High School for Girls, Newcastle-on-Tyne. See 16 April 1918.
December 5, 1916:
Gustav Holst’s (42) chamber opera Savitri op.25, to words of the composer after the Mahabharata, is performed for the first time, in Wellington Hall, St. John’s Wood, London.
December 19, 1916:
Lullay My Liking for soprano and chorus, and Terly Terlow for chorus, oboe, and cello by Gustav Holst (42) to anonymous words, are performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.
May 27, 1917:
Seven new works by Gustav Holst (42) are performed for the first time, at Thaxted Church: Three Festival Choruses op.36a for chorus and orchestra to words of Moultrie and C. Bax, and the Four Songs op.35 to anonymous words, for solo voice and violin. The composer conducts op.36a.
September 24, 1917:
Over the next week, Gustav Holst’s (43) classes at Morley College, London are interrupted by air raids. The basement gymnasium that he uses as a rehearsal hall is also an air raid shelter.
November 29, 1917:
Phantasy on British Folk Songs for string quartet by Gustav Holst (43) is performed for the first time, in Steinway Hall, London.
December 15, 1917:
Of One That is so Fair and Bright op.34/3 for vocal soloists and chorus by Gustav Holst (43) to anonymous words is performed for the first time, in Newcastle.
January 16, 1918:
Two songs for voice and violin by Gustav Holst (43) op.35/3&4, I Sing of a Maiden and My Leman is So True, both to anonymous words, are performed for the first time, at Morley College, London.
March 18, 1918:
One of the Hymns from the Rig-Veda for solo voice and piano op.24/8 by Gustav Holst (43) to his own translation is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
April 16, 1918:
Three of the Six Choral Folksongs by Gustav Holst (43) are performed for the first time, at the Royal Victoria Hall, London. See 27 June 1916.
May 18, 1918:
Diverus and Lazarus, for chorus by Gustav Holst (43), is performed for the first time, at Thaxted Parish Church, Essex the composer conducting.
May 19, 1918:
This Have I Done For My True Love op.34/1, a choral work by Gustav Holst (43) to anonymous words, is performed for the first time, in Thaxted Church, Essex the composer conducting.
June 9, 1918:
Incidental music to Bax’s play The Sneezing Charm by Gustav Holst (43), is performed for the first time, at the Royal Court Theatre, London.
June 14, 1918:
Gustav Holst (43) passes the minimum medical examination to become a YMCA Music Organizer. His duties may include organizing musical activities among training camps and hospitals in England, or internment camps in neutral and enemy countries.
September 18, 1918:
Gustavus Theodorus von Holst (43) legally changes his name to Gustav Theodore Holst after his application to become a YMCA music organizer was rejected because his name is too “Germanic.”
September 29, 1918:
Gustav Holst’s (44) suite The Planets, for female chorus and orchestra, is performed for the first time, privately, in Queen’s Hall, London. See 15 November 1920.
December 1, 1918:
Gustav Holst (44) arrives in Thessaloniki. He will organize musical activities among troops suffering the effects of war, malaria, poison gas, and influenza.
February 27, 1919:
The Planets (without Venus and Neptune) by Gustav Holst (44) is given its first public performance, in Queen’s Hall, London while the composer is suffering from a fractured foot in Thessaloniki. On the same program is the premiere of the revised version of the Festival Overture for orchestra by Arnold Bax (35). See 29 September 1918.
May 10, 1919:
In Constantinople, Gustav Holst (44) receives a telegram informing him that the Hymn of Jesus has been granted one of five awards given by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust.
June 21, 1919:
Gustav Holst (44) reaches Taranto from Constantinople.
June 22, 1919:
Gustav Holst (44) boards a train in Taranto heading north. During the afternoon, the passengers take part in a “bug hunt.”
June 24, 1919:
Gustav Holst (44) arrives in Faenza from Taranto.
June 25, 1919:
As his train stops near Turin, Gustav Holst (44) learns that the Germans agreed to the Treaty of Versailles.
June 27, 1919:
Gustav Holst (44) arrives in Paris from Faenza.
June 28, 1919:
Gustav Holst (44) arrives in Boulogne, crosses the Channel and arrives in London at 23:00.
October 19, 1919:
The Japanese Suite op.33 by Gustav Holst (45) for orchestra is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
March 10, 1920:
The Hymn of Jesus op.37 for chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (45) to words from the Apocryphal Acts of St. John, is performed for the first time, privately, at the Royal College of Music, London. See 25 March 1920.
March 25, 1920:
The Hymn of Jesus op.37 for chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (45) to words from the Apocryphal Acts of St. John, is performed publicly for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting. See 10 March 1920.
May 23, 1920:
Short Festival Te Deum by Gustav Holst (45) for chorus and orchestra is performed for the first time, at The Old College, Dulwich, London.
July 18, 1920:
Two Psalms by Gustav Holst (45) for tenor, chorus, strings, and organ, are performed for the first time, by 800 singers and 130 players during halftime of a football match at the St. James’ Park Football Ground, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
November 15, 1920:
The Planets op. 32 for orchestra by Gustav Holst (46) is given its first complete performance, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting. It is an immediate success. See 29 September 1918.
December 1, 1921:
Gustav Holst’s (47) ballet music for his own unperformed opera The Perfect Fool is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London. See 14 May 1923.
June 30, 1922:
Suite for Military Band op.28/2 by Gustav Holst (47) is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.
September 15, 1922:
Gustav Holst (47) conducts for recording for the first time. He records Jupiter from The Planets with the London Symphony Orchestra for the Columbia Graphophone Company.
October 6, 1922:
Ode to Death, for chorus and orchestra by Gustav Holst (48) to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, at Leeds. The composer requires a police escort from the theatre to protect him from the crush of admirers.
October 12, 1922:
Gustav Holst (48) and friends silently enter the garden of 13 Cheyne Walk, London, and serenade the inhabitant, Ralph Vaughan Williams, on his fiftieth birthday. They sing a part song written for the occasion by Jane Joseph.
December 2, 1922:
Hecuba’s Lament op.31/1 for alto, female chorus, and orchestra by Gustav Holst (48) to words of Euripedes (tr. Murray) is performed for the first time, in Colston Hall, Bristol.
February 11, 1923:
While conducting a rehearsal at Reading, Gustav Holst (48) falls off the podium and hits the back of his head. He is able to conduct the evening performance, but this injury will cause greater medical problems in the future.
April 21, 1923:
Gustav Holst (48) and his wife sail from England aboard the Aquitania for New York. He is to conduct his music at the University of Michigan.
April 27, 1923:
Gustav Holst (48) and his wife arrive in New York from England.
May 14, 1923:
The Perfect Fool op.39, an opera by Gustav Holst (48) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden. See 1 December 1921.
May 17, 1923:
A Fugal Concerto op.40/2 by Gustav Holst (48) is performed for the first time, privately, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In the evening, Holst conducts a public performance of his A Dirge for Two Veterans. In the middle he suddenly stops the orchestra, ponders the score, corrects an error, and then begins the work over again.
June 28, 1923:
Gustav Holst (48) and his wife return to England after a visit to the United States.
October 11, 1923:
A Fugal Concerto op.40/2 by Gustav Holst (49) is performed publicly for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London the composer conducting. See 17 May 1923.
March 24, 1924:
The Times reports “Mr. Gustav Holst (49) has been ordered a complete rest for at least six months.”
March 6, 1925:
Gustav Holst (50) delivers the inaugural Joseph W. Alsop lecture at Liverpool University.
April 3, 1925:
At the Boar’s Head op.42, an opera by Gustav Holst (50) after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, at the Manchester Opera House. It is not a success.
May 31, 1925:
Sing Me the Men for chorus by Gustav Holst (50) to words of Dolben is performed for the first time, at All Hallows Church, Barking, the composer conducting.
September 10, 1925:
Gustav Holst’s (50) choral work The Evening-watch op.43/1 to words of Vaughan is performed for the first time, in Gloucester, the composer conducting.
October 7, 1925:
The First Choral Symphony op.41 for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Gustav Holst (51), to words of Keats, is performed for the first time, in Leeds. The critics are not pleased.
November 18, 1925:
The sixth of the Seven Part Songs op.44 for soprano, chorus, and strings by Gustav Holst (51) to words of Bridges is performed for the first time, in Liverpool.
March 2, 1926:
Terzetto for flute, oboe, and viola by Gustav Holst (51) is performed for the first time, in the Faculty of Arts Gallery, Golden Square, London.
May 24, 1926:
Gustav Holst’s (51) choral ballet The Golden Goose op.45/1 to words of Joseph, is performed for the first time, in Hammersmith, the composer conducting.
September 21, 1926:
Gustav Holst’s choral ballet The Golden Goose op.45/1 to words of Joseph, is performed completely for the first time, in a BBC broadcast concert conducted by the composer on his 52nd birthday.
October 20, 1926:
The Toccata for piano by Gustav Holst (52) is performed probably for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in Liverpool.
December 2, 1926:
The first five of the Seven Part Songs op.44 for soprano, chorus, and strings by Gustav Holst (51) to words of Bridges are performed for the first time, in Liverpool.
February 18, 1927:
Two Folk Song Fragments op.46/2 for piano by Gustav Holst (52) are performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.
March 17, 1927:
Gustav Holst’s (52) choral ballet The Morning of the Year, to words of Wilson, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting, in the Royal Albert Hall, the composer conducting. See 1 June 1927.
May 24, 1927:
Assemble All Ye Maidens, from the Seven Part Songs for soprano, female chorus, and strings by Gustav Holst (52) to words of Bridges, is performed publicly for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, Ralph Vaughan Williams (54) conducting.
June 1, 1927:
Gustav Holst’s (52) choral ballet The Morning of the Year to words of Wilson, is staged for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London, the composer conducting. See 27 March 1927.
August 8, 1927:
Gustav Holst (52) arrives in Dorchester, having walked from the Bristol home of Thomas Hardy. They have a most pleasant visit and Hardy gratefully accepts the dedication of Egdon Heath. He says he knows little of music but is familiar with The Planets because he borrowed a recording from TE Lawrence who is stationed with the Royal Tank Corps nearby.
January 7, 1928:
While on a visit to Prague, Gustav Holst (53) has dinner with Leos Janácek (71) and Alois Hába (34).
February 12, 1928:
Gustav Holst’s (53) orchestral work Egdon Heath, Homage to Hardy, is performed for the first time, in Mecca Auditorium, New York. The dedicatee died only a few weeks ago.
May 28, 1928:
Incidental music to Masefield’s play The Coming of Christ by Gustav Holst (53) for brass band is performed for the first time, in Canterbury Cathedral, conducted by the composer.
June 14, 1928:
The anthem Man born to Toil for chorus and organ by Gustav Holst (53) to words of Bridges, is performed for the first time, in Wells Cathedral.
September 29, 1928:
A Moorside Suite for brass band by Gustav Holst (54) is performed for the first time, in Crystal Palace, London.
April 4, 1929:
Gustav Holst (54) boards ship in Liverpool and sails for North America.
April 14, 1929:
After a very rough crossing, Gustav Holst (54) disembarks from the Scythia at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
April 16, 1929:
Gustav Holst (54) arrives in New Haven from Halifax by train to lecture at Yale University.
April 20, 1929:
Gustav Holst (54) arrives in New York from New Haven to attend the meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
April 26, 1929:
Gustav Holst (54) arrives in Boston from New York where he gives a lecture at Harvard University.
April 27, 1929:
Gustav Holst (54) boards the Samaria in Boston making for England.
May 5, 1929:
Gustav Holst (54) arrives in Liverpool from Boston aboard the Samaria.
November 9, 1929:
Ten of Gustav Holst’s (55) Twelve Songs op.48 for voice and piano, to words of Wolfe, are performed for the first time, at the home of Louise Dyer in Paris. See 5 February 1930.
February 5, 1930:
Twelve Songs op.48 for voice and piano by Gustav Holst (55) to words of Wolfe are performed completely for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London. See 9 November 1929.
April 3, 1930:
Concerto for two violins and orchestra by Gustav Holst (55) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London. During the intermission, Holst is presented with the gold medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society.
September 8, 1931:
A Choral Fantasia for soprano, chorus, organ, strings, brass, and percussion by Gustav Holst (56) to words of Bridges, is performed for the first time, in Gloucester Cathedral the composer conducting.
November 25, 1931:
The second (orchestral) version of Hammersmith op.52 by Gustav Holst (57) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London. This arrangement is not a success. See 17 April 1932.
January 8, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) boards the Bremen in Southampton making for New York.
January 13, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) reaches New York from Southampton aboard the Bremen.
January 14, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) arrives in Boston by train from New York. He is met and taken to Harvard University.
January 19, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) conducts the first of three concerts he is to give with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in Providence.
January 22, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) conducts the second and third of three concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
February 7, 1932:
After a brief trip to New York, Gustav Holst (57) moves into a suite in Eliot House on the campus of Harvard University. There he expects to spend the Spring term.
March 8, 1932:
Wassail Song for chorus by Gustav Holst (57) to traditional words is performed for the first time, in the Town Hall, Huddersfield, Yorkshire.
March 12, 1932:
Intercession, the first of the Six Choruses op.53 by Gustav Holst (57) to medieval lyrics translated by Waddell, is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, Huddersfield.
March 26, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) gives a lecture on Franz Joseph Haydn (†124) at the Library of Congress, Washington marking the 200th anniversary of Haydn’s birth.
March 27, 1932:
Returning to Boston from Washington, Gustav Holst (57) falls ill and is taken to New England Deaconess Hospital where he is diagnosed with hemorrhagic gastritis caused by a duodenal ulcer. All his upcoming engagements are cancelled.
April 11, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) is released from Deaconess Hospital and taken to the Boston home of Archibald T. Davison.
April 17, 1932:
Hammersmith by Gustav Holst (57), in its first setting, for band, is performed for the first time, in Washington. The composer is scheduled to be in attendance but has to cancel due to his recent hospitalization. See 25 November 1931.
April 18, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) has recovered sufficiently to return to his lodging in Eliot House on the campus of Harvard University.
April 25, 1932:
A concert by the Harvard Glee Club and the Radcliffe Choral Society is given in Sanders Theatre in honor of Gustav Holst (57). The composer will say “That concert was the happiest night I’ve had in the USA.”
April 27, 1932:
Before Sleep, the sixth of the Six Choruses op.53 by Gustav Holst (57) to medieval lyrics (tr. Waddell), is performed for the first time, at Harvard University.
May 14, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) arrives in Ann Arbor, Michigan from Boston by train.
May 19, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) conducts a concert of his own music in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
May 21, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) arrives back in Boston from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
May 25, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) gives his last composition class at Harvard.
May 26, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) departs Boston by boat for New York.
May 27, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) boards the Europa in New York and sails for England.
June 2, 1932:
Gustav Holst (57) arrives back in London from America.
December 13, 1932:
Good Friday, the second of the Six Choruses op.53 by Gustav Holst (58) to medieval lyrics (tr. Waddell), is performed for the first time, in Westminster Abbey.
February 12, 1933:
How Mighty are the Sabbaths, the fifth of the Six Choruses op.53 by Gustav Holst (58) to medieval lyrics (tr. Waddell), is performed for the first time, in Her Majesty’s Theatre, Carlisle the composer conducting.
April 14, 1933:
Gustav Holst (58) checks himself into Beaufort House nursing home in Ealing after feeling ill for two days.
May 30, 1933:
Drinking Song, the third of the Six Choruses op.53 by Gustav Holst (58) to medieval lyrics (tr. Waddell), is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.
September 21, 1933:
Eight Canons for chorus by Gustav Holst to medieval words (tr. Waddell) is performed in an informal setting at St. Paul’s School, London on the occasion of the composer’s 59th birthday. It is probably the first complete performance of the entire set.
December 22, 1933:
Gustav Holst (59) is admitted to New Lodge Clinic, Windsor Forest for treatment and tests.
January 31, 1934:
The Wandering Scholar, a chamber opera by Gustav Holst (59) to words of C. Bax, is performed for the first time, in Liverpool.
March 18, 1934:
Lyric Movement, for viola and chamber orchestra by Gustav Holst (59), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC. The composer is too ill to attend at the studio and listens on a radio provided by Adrian Boult.
May 23, 1934:
Gustav Holst (59) undergoes an operation to remove a duodenal ulcer, at Beaufort House. The hospital announces the operation a success but that recovery will be slow.
May 25, 1934:
Gustav Theodore Holst dies of heart failure in Beaufort House Nursing Home, Ealing, London, United Kingdom, two days after an operation for ulcers, aged 59 years, eight months, and four days. The ashes of his earthly remains will be buried in the north transept of Chichester Cathedral.
June 10, 1934:
04:00 Frederick Delius dies of syphilis at his home at 95 rue Wilson in Grez-sur-Loing, near Fontainebleau, Republic of France, aged 72 years, four months, and 13 days. In less than four months, Great Britain has lost three of its most important composers: Edward Elgar (23 February), Gustav Holst (25 May) and Frederick Delius (10 June).
June 22, 1934:
A concert in memory of Gustav Holst takes place over the airwaves of the BBC.
June 24, 1934:
The ashes of the earthly remains of Gustav Holst are interred in the north transept of Chichester Cathedral. Music of Weelkes (†310), Vaughan Williams, and Holst is conducted by his longtime friend, Ralph Vaughan Williams (61).
February 6, 1935:
Gustav Holst’s (†0) orchestral work Scherzo is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
March 6, 1937:
Queen Mary opens the Holst (†2) Room at Morley College in London. Money for the project was raised mostly through the influence of Ralph Vaughan Williams (64).
May 24, 1938:
O Spiritual Pilgrim for soprano and chorus by Gustav Holst to words of Flecker is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the composer’s death. Also premiered is the orchestration of Paean by Arnold Bax (54).
January 10, 1968:
Jazz Band Piece by Gustav Holst (†33) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London 36 years after it was composed.
March 14, 1974:
Four choruses from The Song of Solomon by Gustav Holst (†39) is performed for the first time, in St. John’s, Smith Square, London.
July 23, 1982:
Gustav Holst’s (†48) overture Walt Whitman op.7 is performed for the first time, in London, 83 years after it was composed.
September 15, 1982:
A Wind Quintet op.14 by Gustav Holst (†48) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London 79 years after it was composed.
September 20, 1984:
A Song of the Night op.19/1 for violin and orchestra by Gustav Holst (†50) is performed for the first time, in London 79 years after it was composed.