Holst and Vaughan Williams.

Me too, Merlot. Two of my favourite composers. We only ever hear their ‘lollipops’, but there is a wealth of the music of both composers that is rarely heard. I hope it will be an interesting and rewarding hour.

I'm just about to start watching this too, but you may be interested to know that BBC4's Our Classical Century on Thurs 15th included quite a bit about the lives and works of both Holst and RVW.

I wish there were more programmes like this. I’m sure more people would be interested in classical music if they knew more about it. As it happens these two composers aren’t particular favourites of mine, but I learnt a lot from this interesting programme and the earlier one.

I don’t know when the next programme is, but it should cover the contribution of Benjamin Britten (my favourite) and Michael Tippett, both of whom I remember seeing in the flesh. I was in choirs and sang a lot of their work - also that of Vaughan Williams.

Got it recorded, just waiting for a chance to watch it..

Wonderful almost old fashioned BBC at its best if only they would do more like it.

Anyone watching Prince Charles talking about Hubert Parry? Just heard an interview given by Vaughan Williams.

Yes, I’m watching Prince Charles on Parry, and remembering singing Blest Pair of Sirens at school.

I just happened on this programme ( Holst and VW) so only caught the last half, wasn’t it interesting, I will get the whole thing on catch up.

I enjoyed this programme, learned a lot, and it made me revisit some of Holst’s music, such as the suites he wrote for brass ensembles; the Perfect Fool - which has strains of the both the Planets and The St Paul’s Suite running through it; and The Somerset Rhapsody, which he wrote around the same time as VW was writing his Norfolk Rhapsodies (which I think are sublime and hugely underrated). He also wrote two my favourite pieces of Christmas music - Personent Hodie and ‘Tommorrow is my Dancing Day’.

Aaah, Best Pair of Nylons, Grandma70s, I remember it well.