Gustav Holst: Op. 32, The Planets, an orchestral suite in seven pieces. Original manuscript full score

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The original manuscript of the full score of The Planets, an orchestral suite in seven pieces, by Gustav Holst, written 1914-1917. The original title page reads: 'Seven pieces for large orchestra', Gustav von Holst. Op. 32'.

Written out with the aid of several amanuenses, Vally Lasker, Nora Day, Jane Joseph and an unidentified professional copyist. For a detailed discussion of the various handwriting in this manuscript, see Imogen Holst's account in the facsimile edition, pp. 227-232.

Mars. Mainly autograph, xiv + 38 pages.
Venus. Mainly autograph, viii + 22 pages.
Mercury. Autograph, viii + 40 pages.
Jupiter. Almost entirely written by assistants, viii + 60 pages.
Saturn. Mainly autograph, viii + 28 pages.
Uranus. Mainly autograph, viii + 40 pages.
Neptune. Almost entirely written by assistants, viii + 28 pages.

Dates

Creation: 1914-1917

Extent

1 box

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Use

This manuscript is only available with the permission of the Music Curator.

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Mus. b.18/1].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MS. Mus. b. 18/1-7

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 16560

Additional Description

Abstract

The original manuscript of the full score of The Planets, an orchestral suite in seven pieces, by Gustav Holst, written 1914-1917.

Biographical / Historical

Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was a composer. See Grove Music Online for further details.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Given by Imogen Holst 'as a tribute to the work of Sir Hugh Allen', 17 February 1947, and in recognition of the Library's custody of her father's manuscripts during the war.

Existence and Location of Copies

A monochrome facsimile of this manuscript is available as volume 3 in the series Holst, Gustav, 1874-1934. Collected facsimile edition (London: Faber Music, in association with G. & I. Holst Limited, 1979).

Bibliography

Gustav Holst, Collected facsimile edition of manuscripts of the published works. Vol. 3: The Planets, opus 32, ed. Imogen Holst and Colin Matthews (London: Faber Music, 1979).
Bodleian Library Record, vol. II, p. 197.

Physical Facet

Seven volumes bound in quarter cloth by Winsome Bartlett of Darlington Hall, stored in in a Bodleian-made, cloth-covered box. Vol. 1 has a title page and introduction written in calligraphic black and red ink on parchment.