Work Title
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Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda
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Alternative. Title
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Composer
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Holst, Gustav
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Opus/Catalogue NumberOp./Cat. No.
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Op.26 ; H.97-100
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I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No.
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IGH 5
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Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's
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14 hymns in 4 groups
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- 1. Battle Hymn
- 2. To the Unknown God
- 3. Funeral Hymn
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- 4. To Varuna
- 5. To Agni
- 6. Funeral Chant.
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- 7. Hymn to the Dawn
- 8. Hymn to the Waters
- 9. Hymn to Vena
- 10.Hymn to the Travellers
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- 11. Hymn to Agni
- 12. Hymn to Soma
- 13. Hymn to Manas
- 14. Hymn to Indra
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Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp.
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1908–12
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First Performance.
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see below
- 1911-12-06 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Town Hall (Group 1)
- Newcastle-on-Tyne Musical Union, Edgar Bainton (conductor)
- 1912-03-22 in London, Queen's Hall (Group 2)
- Edward Mason Choir, New Symphony Orchestra, Edward Mason (conductor)
- 1911-03-11 in Blackburn, Town Hall (Group 3)
- Blackburn Ladies' Choir, Harold Jarvis (harp), Frank Duckworth (conductor)
- 1914-03-18 in London, Queen's Hall (Group 4)
- Edward Mason Choir, New Symphony Orchestra, Edward Mason (conductor)
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First Publication.
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1911 (Group 1); 1912 (Groups 2–4) – London: Stainer & Bell.
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Librettist
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Composer, based on the Rig Veda (translated from Sanskrit)
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Language
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English
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Dedication
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2 dedicatees
- Group 2: To Edward Mason and his Choir
- Group 3: Frank Duckworth and his Ladies' Choir, Blackburn.
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Average DurationAvg. Duration
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40 minutes
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Composer Time PeriodComp. Period
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Early 20th century
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Piece Style
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Romantic
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Instrumentation
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chorus (or voices) with various accompaniments
- Group 1, H.97 - chorus and orchestra.
Group 2, H.98 - female voices and orchestra (also arr. for piano with opt. violins) Group 3, H.99 - female voices and harp (piano) Group 4, H.100 - male voices and piano (also arr. strings with opt brass)
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External Links
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Gustav Holst.info (Choral with varied accompaniment) Gustav Holst.info (Choral with orchestra) VIAF
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Extra Information
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In light of the record of the first performances found in Imogen Holst's catalog (see above), it seems these were not necessarily intended as a single work, though the total duration (ca.40 minutes) does not preclude a performance of all 14 hymns.
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