Gustav Holst "Second Suite For Military Band In F Major"

Anybody heard this? Holst is a genius. He takes two folk songs and intertwines them in a beautiful arrangement.

In the piece, the 6/8 melody never stops until the final measures. Throughout the melody (which at first seems upbeat and happy) comes several variations in background harmony (though the original melody remains concrete throughout the whole piece). A baritone solo section brings out the beauty of "Greensleeves", and a march variation shows the power of a military band.

This is a genius work in my opinion, and I'm honored to play it in my school's band (though as 4th horn, I don't play much--I don't come in until measure 112).

No, I have never heard this. I do really like Holst's Seasons. I have heard those alot. If it is possible then maybe you could provide us with a recording or soundclip of your school's band performing this piece. Maybe?

Second Suite for Military Band in F

There is a recording, but its not really of the best quality, performance and acoustic wise, but it will give you a general idea of it.

I don't have a recording of our band playing it, but I may be able to aquire one in the future.

Just a note: this suite is a wind band arrangement of Holst's own "St. Paul Suite" for string orchestra.

Yes, I've played this for concert band.

The Dargason is a form of a dance that repeats that motive over and over, just like Holst does. What's really ingenious isn't the harmonic structure, but the rhythm, in how he can have half the band playing 9/8 while the other continues in two.

I agree I think Holst is genius and as a euphonium player I love the bias towards euphonium solos. Last I counted the second suite had 5 euphonium solos in it.