Derby to hear world premiere of choral music written 80 years ago

Derby is set to hear the world premiere of a piece of choral music written 80 years ago – performed by Sinfonia Viva.

The orchestra will be joined by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir to perform the Festival Anthem by British composer Imogen Holst at Derby Cathedral on Saturday 21 March.

Imogen Holst was a significant figure of 20th century British classical music.

She was also the daughter of composer Gustav Holst, whose famous ‘The Planets’ suite was performed by Sinfonia Viva at Derby Cathedral in 2023.

However, in Holst’s lifetime her own music was not given the recognition it deserved and is only recently being rediscovered and widely performed.

The Festival Anthem is a musical setting of Psalm 104, written in 1946 but never performed live in concert.

In 2022, the original score was prepared for a string orchestra by Colin Matthews, and it is this orchestral version that Sinfonia Viva will premiere in Derby.

Conductor Alice Farnham has been a leading advocate of Imogen Holst’s music, including recording the album Discovering Imogen with BBC Concert Orchestra in 2024.

She said: “In this concert we’ve got Imogen Holst right at the heart of it, finally getting the recognition she really deserves.

“She’s famous because she is the daughter of Gustav Holst, one of our most beloved composers.

“But she was a fabulous composer in her own right, who was also a passionate believer in music education.”

Sinfonia Viva’s concert, entitled The Holsts: Father and Daughter, pairs Imogen’s music with St Paul’s Suite by her father, Gustav, and music by other defining 20th century composers, Britten and Elgar.

Lucy Galliard, chief executive of Sinfonia Viva, said: “We are thrilled to bring the world premiere of Imogen Holst’s Festival Anthem to Derby Cathedral, a piece that has waited 80 years to be heard.

“This performance is not just a celebration of Imogen Holst’s remarkable talent, but also a testament to the enduring power of rediscovered music. “Thanks to the generous support of the ABO Trust’s Sirens programme, we are able to shine a light on the work of historical women composers and share their legacy with new audiences.

“This concert reflects Sinfonia Viva’s commitment to presenting both beloved classics and hidden gems, enriching Derby’s cultural landscape with music that inspires and connects us all.”

For more information and to book tickets click here.