Episode 7. Holst Among Friends

SYNOPSIS

Alan Gibbs’ interview is a tribute to the influence of the inspirational school music teacher. His own interest in music was sparked by the charismatic Edwin Campbell Rose, a former volunteer teacher at the East End settlement, Toynbee Hall, who encouraged his pupils including Alan to compose original music.  His obvious talent led to organ lessons, and an undergraduate degree at Durham University where staff sparked an interest in Gustav Holst, who might be termed the ideal music teacher. After a stint at the Passmore Edwards settlement, Holst taught at two girls’ schools, firstly James Allen’s and then St Paul’s, where he used a purpose-built music room to compose.  In the evening the socialist Holst conducted the orchestra and choir at Morley College for Working Men and Women. Both Paulinas and Morley College students participated in the Whitsun Festivals run by Holst in Thaxted Parish Church from 1916 to 1918.

GUEST

The poet and composer Alan Gibbs studied music at Durham University, taking organ lessons from Conrad Eden. He edited the late Alan Dickinson’s Holst’s Music: A Guide for Thames Publishing. His own Holst Among Friends, describing the pupils and colleagues at girls’ schools and Whitsun Festivals, was published in 2000.   

The interview with Simon Machin was recorded at Alan’s home on 15 August 2019.