The music world has much to thank Richard Hickox for and this disc is no exception. It marks the beginning of a planned series of Holst recordings for the record label Chandos, a name that has become almost synonymous with the late conductor’s work. His recordings for the label span twenty years and amount to over 280 discs - an important and lasting legacy. Hickox was eager to revive Holst’s lesser-known works, and the decision to record these works will go a long way towards fulfilling the conductor’s wish: ‘I hope this record will help put [Holst] back in focus’. Holst wrote nearly twenty works for the stage, almost all of which are little known. One exception is the first work on this disc which is the Ballet from ‘The Perfect Fool’. It begins with a fanfare which is followed by the dances of the spirits Earth, Water and Fire and from the opening bars there is no doubt this is Holst territory. Punchy brass dominates the texture which gives way to an exquisite viola solo that sombres the mood. The Golden Goose is a choral ballet and should in theory include mime, ballet and costumes. It, like so many others, failed as a stage work but the composer himself was ‘convinced that it makes a good concert piece’. It certainly does. The ethereal quality of the choral writing contrasts with the quirks in the orchestral texture and the Joyful Company of Singers do the work great justice. The Lure is an economical work based on a folk tune that started out life as incidental music to a play written by Bax’s younger brother. It wasn’t performed as such and Holst eventually withdrew the work. Nevertheless this powerful piece has a certain majesty that is maintained throughout. The Morning of the Year, Holst’s other choral ballet, is a more serious undertaking and again there is no stage action. English folk song provides the basis and is fused with the composer’s original and often eccentric style. This disc makes for poignant listening but for all the right reasons.

Reviewed by Dawn Cooke