Gustav Holst

A Fugal Concerto

This engaging and satisfying piece from 1923 was originally written for solo flute and oboe with string orchestra. Fugal textures appear throughout the three contrasting movements, which are neo-classical in style. The unison opening of the first movement leads into playful sections, with the various themes passed around the players, whilst the slow middle movement sets the haunting melodies against a somewhat ambiguous metre. The final movement romps along with gusto, eventually giving way to the English folk tune "If all the world were paper" before creeping away into the distance.