- While the title likely conjures images of the famous Cathedral in London, Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite was actually written for the students of St. Paul’s Girls’ School Orchestra in Hammersmith. Holst served as music master at the institution for nearly 30 years.
- Holst wrote St. Paul’s Suite between 1912-13. The piece was written for string orchestra and consists of four movements:
- Jig. Vivace
- Ostinato. Presto
- Intermezzo. Andante con moto
- Finale (The Dargason). Allegro*1
- Holst later made an arrangement that included woodwinds so more students could play the piece.
- *”The Dargason” is a 16th-century folk tune. After the first iteration of the melody, Holst juxtaposes “The Dargason” with another English tune, “Greensleeves.” 2
Sources
- “St. Paul’s Suite, Op.29 No.2 (Holst, Gustav),” IMSLP, accessed January 9, 2026, https://imslp.org/wiki/St._Paul’ s_Suite%2C_Op.29_No.2_(Holst%2C_Gustav).
- Maureen Buja, “Keeping it Simple: Holst’s St Paul’s Suite,” Interlude (2021), accessed January 9, 2026, https://interlude.hk/keeping-it-simple-gustav-holst-st-pauls-suite/.
Cut IDs
40911 14954 41730 43721