SKU: CN.R10177

Much of the thematic material for this lovely work by Holst is derived from the opening legato melodies provided by soli horns. The themes morph into several different dance feels throughout the remainder of the piece always keeping you guessing what will come next. Geoffrey Brand has done a masterful job of adapting the score for the modern concert band.

Holst's original version of 'The Morning of the Year' was written in 1926-27 as a choral ballet. It was the first work to be commissioned by the music department of the BBC. The first concert performance was on 17 March 1927 at the Royal Albert Hall, London conducted by the composer. In 1979 Colin Matthews and Imogen Holst edited this concert version with the approval of the publisher and G&I Holst Ltd. The chorus has been left out and several of the dances have been shortened. Some additional percussion was introduced to suggest the sounds the dancers would have provided in a stage performance. Geoffrey Brand arranged the work for concert band in 1995 with permission from G&I Holst Ltd.