5/5. In 1931, while on a lecturing tour at Harvard University, Holst became ill, and his health was in steady decline from then on. Nonetheless, he composed some of his most original music in his last months. His last works were the beautiful Lyric Movement for viola and orchestra, and a scherzo for a symphony that was never completed.
Prelude (Brook Green Suite) City of London Sinfonia, conductor Richard Hickox
The Wandering Scholar Norma Burrowes (soprano), Robert Tear (tenor), Michael Rippon and Michael Langdon (basses), English Opera Group, English Chamber Orchestra, conductor Steuart Bedford
Before Sleep; How Mighty Are the Sabbaths (Six Choruses, Op 53)
BBC Singers, conductor Justin Doyle
Lyric Movement Cecil Aronowitz (viola), English Chamber Orchestra, conductor Imogen Holst
Scherzo Munich SO, conductor Douglas Bostock Repeated on Thursday at 12 midnight