Holst: Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Op. 26: 3rd Group, H99

An inspired arrangement between Decca and Imogen Holst, led to a series of pioneering recordings of her father Gustav Holst’s music, which appeared on Argo and are now comprehensively released on CD as part of the Eloquence series. This collection highlights Holst’s fascination with mysticism and the Orient, with the inclusion of the Rig-Veda Hymns and the chamber opera Savitri, boasting a trio of luminaries – Janet Baker, Robert Tear and Thomas Helmsley – who, with Imogen Holst, give us a heart-rending performance of this episode from the Mahabharata, which tells how Savitri, the wife of a young woodcutter, wins back her husband, for whom Death has come, by the strength of her love and devotion The Seven Part-Songs, set to poems by Holst’s friend Robert Bridges are subtle and gracious, as befits their verses. Imogen Holst’s notes for the LPs – ‘acutely perceptive, objective and candid’ noted Gramophone’s reviewer Lionel Salter – are here reprinted as are the full texts.

Recording producer: David Harvey

Recording engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson

Recording location: Kingsway Hall, London, UK, October-November 1965

Following the success of Ceremony of Carols, Etherea Vocal Ensemble’s stunning debut album, Delos lost no time in producing their second effort. Containing several premiere performances, this album is an enchanting mix of mostly uncommon works for female choir by Holst, Beach, Rheinberger, Mendelssohn and Rossini. While all of these works are standouts among the limited female choir rep, Holst’s third group of Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda and the Two Eastern Pictures are particularly exotic, and ripe for rediscovery.