First Suite in E-flat

From Program Notes

In 1909, when this Suite was written, concert wind band music consisted of reductions of pieces originally scored for orchestras. Thus this suite was revolutionary in that it was written exclusively for wind band and is considered Holst’s first step toward achieving his goal of making the concert band a serious concert medium. It was originally written for Military Band, and a full score arranged with additional parts to make it suitable for American bands was not published until after Holst’s death. The first movement is a Chaconne, a 16-note melody that is passed throughout the band. The lively Intermezzo shows Holst's mastery in writing for woodwinds. The closing March combines two folk song melodies with counterpart in the finale. Holst was well suited for his role as concert band composer, having played trombone in various groups in England and Scotland for years. --James Huff 23:17, March 28, 2007 (EDT) (from the program notes of The Claremont Winds, submitted with permission)