Somerset Rhapsody, A, Op. 21 Cover Image

Somerset Rhapsody, A, Op. 21: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$80.00 USD

Somerset Rhapsody, A, Op. 21: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Somerset Rhapsody, A, Op. 21: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A934190
Price: 80.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Gustav Holst

Item: 36-A934190

$80.00

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Part of the British folk revival of the early 20th century, Gustav Holst's (1874-1934) Somerset Rhapsody consists of his interpretations of three English folk tunes from the Somerset region: "The Sheep-Shearing Song," "High Germany," and "True Love's Farewell." Holst dedicated this piece, his first major critical success, to Cecil Sharp, a chronicler of English folk music who collected the songs that Holst adapted. Holst intended the cycle to tell a story of a young couple whose relationship is interrupted by war. Somerset Rhapsody premiered in London in April 1910. Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc).2(1dObd'mr).2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set). Reprint edition.

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Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

UPC: 676737604493

SKU: 36-A934190

Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc).2(1dObd'mr).2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was a English composer whose curiosity about traditional music shaped his approach to orchestration and melody throughout his career. Deeply influenced by the English folk revival movement, he studied the songs collected by Cecil Sharp and others, incorporating their modal harmonies and directness into concert works that bridged vernacular tradition and art music.

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Why we love this

Holst's gift for storytelling through folk material shines here; three distinct tunes unfold with genuine emotional arc rather than displaying them as museum pieces. The orchestration is lean and purposeful, giving every section of the ensemble a moment to shape the narrative, which makes this rewarding to rehearse and genuinely moving in performance.

What to expect

The music unfolds with the clarity of storytelling and the warmth of remembered songs. Each tune carries its own character: longing, joy, sorrow; Holst honors their simplicity while giving them orchestral dignity, creating something that feels both intimate and grand.

Who it's for

This score and parts suit orchestras seeking early 20th-century repertoire that feels both accessible and artistically substantial. Conductors familiar with Holst's larger works will find Somerset Rhapsody a compelling entry point into his folk-influenced writing, and it sits well alongside other British orchestral music from the period.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the folk melodies so they sing clearly through the orchestral texture; these tunes carry the weight of the piece, and they need space to breathe even when supported by full scoring.
Shape the transitions between movements as moments of reflection rather than mere segues. Holst uses silence and harmonic shifts to mark the emotional shifts in the story; let those pauses land.
Attend to the percussion and timpani as storytellers rather than colorists. Their entrances and rhythmic patterns reinforce the narrative of the piece and deserve careful coordination with the melody lines.

How to use it

Program this alongside other British orchestral works from the early 20th century, or as a bridge between folk traditions and concert music in a thematic program. Its modest performing forces and direct emotional appeal make it an excellent centerpiece for a concert exploring English musical identity.