Hymns from the Rig Veda: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Jon Mitchell
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00398678
$85.00
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Description
A century ago James Causley Windram, then band director of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers and, later, the Coldstream Guards, asked Gustav Holst if he could transcribe some of the composer's "Hymns from the Rig Veda" for military band. Always a band advocate, Holst readily agreed. Two of Windram's settings, "Hymn of the Travellers" and "Battle Hymn" have been edited for modern instrumentation while a third, "Hymn to Manas," has been arranged from Holst's original choral setting by Jon Ceander Mitchell for inclusion in this thoroughly characteristic suite.
Dur: 7:30
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00398678
More about this title
Why we love this
This suite gives concert bands direct access to Holst's philosophical and musical depth without requiring a choral component. The arrangements honor both Windram's original military band intuition and Holst's harmonic language, making these contemplative works feel natural in the wind band idiom rather than transplanted.
What to expect
These hymns carry a meditative quality rooted in ancient Sanskrit texts, yet they speak in Holst's distinctive musical voice. Rich harmonic colorings and contemplative tempos create a concert experience that feels both ceremonial and intimate, inviting audiences into reflection rather than spectacle.
Who it's for
Bands at the Grade 4 level with mature ensemble control and an interest in repertoire beyond the standard march-and-overture diet. Directors seeking to program meaningful concert music that challenges musicians intellectually and musically without excessive technical hurdles.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic content across woodwinds and brass; these hymns succeed when listeners can follow the harmonic journey without any section dominating the texture.
- Attend to the sustained passages and let them breathe. Holst's original choral writing emphasizes stillness, so avoid the temptation to push forward.
- Differentiate the three movements clearly. 'Hymn of the Travellers' requires a sense of journeying; 'Battle Hymn' calls for rhythmic clarity and presence; 'Hymn to Manas' demands introspection.
How to use it
Place this suite as a centerpiece in a concert exploring world music or spiritual themes, or use it to transition a program from lighter fare into more substantive material. The complete suite's seven-and-a-half-minute duration works well as a single thematic unit, giving your concert architectural coherence.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone with consistent vibrato across long phrases
- Blending in predominantly homophonic textures
- Reading and executing rubato and expressive tempo changes
- Responding to harmonic color changes as ensemble interpretation cues
- Playing with conviction at soft dynamic levels