Photo: Herbert Lambert / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Gustav Holst is, for me, the rare composer defined by a single colossal achievement. The Planets is so vivid that Mars and Jupiter have lodged themselves permanently in our collective ear, influencing film scores for a century. He reportedly felt ambivalent that nothing else he wrote matched its fame, and I find that tension poignant. But I'd argue that writing one work that becomes part of humanity's shared imagination is a triumph most artists never approach. This Cheltenham-born Englishman had a mystic streak and a teacher's heart, and Jupiter's grand central melody still gives me chills every single time.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Gustav Holst
- Name (Japanese)
- グスターヴ・ホルスト
- Reading
- ぐすたーゔ・ほるすと
- Born
- September 21, 1874 – May 25, 1934
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Dog
- Origin
- Cheltenham, United Kingdom
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- composer / librettist / music teacher / conductor / music arranger
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- University College London
Awards & achievements
- 1930 Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Planets | — | |
| Notable work | In the Bleak Midwinter | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Gustav Holst born?
September 21, 1874 – May 25, 1934.
Where is Gustav Holst from?
Gustav Holst is from Cheltenham, United Kingdom.
What does Gustav Holst do?
Gustav Holst works as composer, librettist, music teacher, conductor, music arranger.
What is Gustav Holst known for?
Notable works include The Planets, In the Bleak Midwinter.
Composer — see all → · Librettist — see all → · More people from United Kingdom →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.