Description
Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was one of a number of notable English composers involved with a resurgence of interest in the country’s traditional music. From centuries old plainsong to Tudor madrigals and traditional folksongs, Holst often incorporated elements of historic styles into his own music, whilst always speaking with his own distinctly 20th century voice.
In the Two Carols these historic influences are very much in evidence. The first carol, ‘A Welcome Song’, was written in 1907 and is a plainsong-influenced setting of a 16th century carol welcoming the newly born Jesus. The origins of the second carol – ‘Terly, Terlow’ (written around the time he was writing The Planets in 1916) – are around a century older, probably dating back to the late Medieval period. The onomatopoeic and highly rhythmic ‘Terly, Terlow’ lyric features throughout as we’re told of shepherds merrily piping in their fields when a light from heaven shines down, announcing the birth of Jesus.
