Thomas Allen - Vedic Hymns by Gustav Holst

A rare performance of rarely performed songs by Gustav Holst (usually associated with big orchestral pieces):
from "Hymns from the Rig Veda", Gustav Holst
1. Ushas (Dawn)
2. Varuna I (Sky)
3. Maruts (Storm clouds)
Thomas Allen, baritone
Roger Vignoles, piano
London, Wigmore Hall, 18 April 2000

I wouldn't mind hearing these songs more often...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gustav
• Holst
• Thomas
• Allen
• Roger
• Vignoles
• Vedic
• Hymns
• Wigmore
• Hall

[musikgeeek]

There are more of these. These three are part of his set of Vedic Hymns. There are nine total, in three different groups. He just sang the first group, Ushas, Varuna, and Maruts. The second group consists of, Indra, Varuna II, and Song of the Frogs, and Finally, there is Vac, Creation, and Faith. They are all in English, and wonderful. You can buy the book of the whole set for less than $10, I love them all.

[interpreterr]

@musikgeeek Thanks for the infor. The songs definitely sound worth exploring.

[drtmuir]

Aren't there more of these?

[interpreterr]

Holst's songs you mean? I've no idea. Allen sang just these three during that recital (lovely all-English programme: well known stuff (Quilter and Warlock), plus Britten's Winter Words and some rarities like the Holst pieces, Rebecca Clarke or Cecil Armstrong-Gibbs)

[KeithB08]

@musikgeeek are these songs orchestrated?

[Nielsenesque]

Check out the Naxos CD with the Vedic Hymns. I believe Christopher Maltman is singing (beautifully), but all my CD's are packed away because I'm moving. Lol.

[drtmuir]

It was just nagging at me that there were more of these songs (I'm not a Holst expert), and I think that there are nine in all. They are very beautiful!