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Holst: Japanese Suite Op.33 - wind dectet
wind dectet/bass
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Flute 1 has some optional piccolo 2nd oboe plays cor anglais Clarinets are in A/Bb
The Japanese Suite was written by Gustav HOLST at the request of the dancer Michio Ito, who was working in London in 1915.
Most of the principal themes are traditional Japanese tunes, which Ito provided to Holst by whistling them. The lone exception is the “Dance of the Marionette,” which is original to Holst.
Despite its origins, there is little that is “Japanese-sounding” about the resulting suite. Rather, Holst set these tunes in the same kinds of harmonies and textures that he was using in his other works, also taking the opportunity to experiment with other influences that were in the air at this time, an openness few of his British contemporaries shared.
It is not known if the suite was ever used for Ito’s dance performances, but in September 1919 it did become the first of Holst’s works to be performed at a Promenade Concert, after which it received a handful of performances in the British provinces.
The suite consists of six parts including a prelude and an interlude:
My arrangement is of the complete suite
Prelude: Song of the fisherman
Ceremonial dance
Dance of the marionettes
Interlude: Song of the fisherman
Dance under the cherry tree
