Historical Circumstances
At the outbreak of World War I, Holst was 40. He desperately wanted to be a part of the war efforts for England, even going as far as dropping the "von" from his name to make his eligible. However, he was denied acceptance into the military because of his physical disabilities. This greatly depressed Holst, especially since his wife was able to help with the war efforts by transporting the injured to the hospital and Vaughan Williams, his best friend, was able to enlist and was in France on the battlefields. Eventually in 1918, Holst was approached by the YMCA to be the musical director and this allowed him to be involved in some aspects of the war.
During the many years int here where Holst was just waiting to be of use to the war efforts, he composed his most famous work The Planets. He started with Mars in 1914 followed by Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and finally Mercury, finishing the seven movement work in 1916. Before he left England to go work with the YMCA, a private concert of The Planets was given at Queen's hall, organized by his friend Balfour Gardiner. The first entire performance of The Planets was given in 1920 under Albert Coates, and it was an instant success.
During the many years int here where Holst was just waiting to be of use to the war efforts, he composed his most famous work The Planets. He started with Mars in 1914 followed by Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and finally Mercury, finishing the seven movement work in 1916. Before he left England to go work with the YMCA, a private concert of The Planets was given at Queen's hall, organized by his friend Balfour Gardiner. The first entire performance of The Planets was given in 1920 under Albert Coates, and it was an instant success.
