Gustav Holst - Brook Green Suite, H. 190

“One of the last works Gustav Holst completed before his death was this Brook Green Suite for string orchestra. Written for the St. Paul’s Girls’ School where he had taught since 1905, the suite was the companion piece for his earlier St. Paul’s Suite for string orchestra (1912-1913). Named after the part of Hammersmith in which Holst lived, the Brook Green Suite is as easy to play as it is to hear, having been written for the school’s junior orchestra. Based on folk song or folk-song-like melodies set to conservative harmonies, the suite is in three movements: a fast-ish Prelude, a beguiling slow Air, and a lightly rhythmic final ’Dance’. Although clearly not one of Holst’s self-consciously ’great’ works, the Brook Green Suite would appeal to listeners who enjoy his earlier St. Paul’s Suite and Benjamin Britten’s later Simple Symphony.“ —James Leonard Date: 1933 Catalogue: Holst 190 Dedicatee: St. Paul’s Girls&#