Concert Band
St. Paul's Suite
by Gustav Holst
Grade 4 | 12 Mins
Between 1905 and 1934, Gustav Holst was Director of Music at St Paul’s Girls’ School in Brook Green, London. In 1913 the school added a new music wing, which afforded Holst a soundproofed room in which to teach and compose. St. Paul’s Suite, written for the school’s string orchestra, was premiered there in the same year.
The suite comprises four movements:-
1. Jig
With frequent metre changes between 6/8 and 9/8, this energetic dance juxtaposes two folk-like melodies and builds in texture and complexity to a thrilling close.
2. Ostinato
A simple four-note figure plays throughout this movement (both in triple and duple time) over which Holst cleverly places two contrasting melodies.
3. Intermezzo
Sharp contrasts in mood characterize this movement: a wistful melody, played over a ground bass, alternates with an energetic and rhythmic dance.
4. Finale (The Dargason)
This movement is adapted from the last movement of the composer’s 1911 Second Suite in F for military band. Holst brilliantly combines The Dargason, a melody from Playford's 1651 collection of English country dance tunes, The English Dancing Master, with the traditional melody, Greensleeves.