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Places to Visit in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Holst Birthplace Museum
4 Clarence Road
Pittville
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 2AY
Tel: +44(0)1242 524846
Fax +44(0)1242 580182
Email: click here
Holst Birthplace Museum online: information and bookings
Cheltenham’s hidden gem where you can discover the life of Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets, see his piano and hear his music. The museum is also a fine period house showing the ‘Upstairs-Downstairs’ way of life in Regency and Victorian Times.
Gustav Holst was born here at 4 Clarence Road, Cheltenham on 21 September 1874. Although chiefly remembered today as the composer of 'The Planets', he was a prolific composer who wrote in practically every classical genre from solo-song and chamber pieces to massively scored orchestral works and opera. His compositions are intensely original and individual; he was inspired by sources as diverse as Sanskrit and English folk-song and he had an innate understanding of the descriptive qualities of orchestral instruments and the human voice.
After studying at the Royal College of Music, (where he and Vaughan Williams became life-long friends), he worked for the Carl Rosa Opera Company and the Scottish Orchestra playing the trombone, before settling down to a busy life of teaching and composing. He became music teacher at Dulwich Girls' School (1903-20), director of music at St Paul's Girls' School, Hammersmith (1905-34), music director at Morley College (1907-24) and in 1919 professor of music at University College, Reading. A friend of William Morris in his youth, Holst believed passionately in the community spirit of music and that music should be accessible to everyone.
Enter 4 Clarence Road and you see the house much as the young Gustav did when he was growing up here in the 1870s. The house is the only example in Gloucestershire of a Victorian-Edwardian family home complete with the furnishings and utensils of that period.
The Holst Birthplace Trust aims to honour the life and promote the music of Gustav Holst and encourage the performance and understanding of his work.
Facilities
Historic House, Private Group Tours, School Tours Available
Famous Sons and Daughters (past and present day)
Gustav Holst (composer of The Planets) a British composer who was born in Cheltenham, England in 1874 and died in London in 1934
Sir Ralph David Richardson, the English actor, was also born in Cheltenham (19 December 1902 - 10 October 1983).
Additional Services
Children's Holiday Activities
Admission
Adults: £5.00
Children (5-15): £2.00
Concessions (Senior Citizens, Students, Registered Disabled, Registered Unemployed): £5.50
Family Ticket: £14.00 (2 Adults and up to 3 Children)
Opening Times
Tuesday – Saturday 10:30am – 4pm
Further Information
Special Events thoughout the year: Music lectures, children’s workshops.
In case of alteration, please check prices, opening times and any specific important information before booking or visiting
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Cleeve Hill House, CheltenhamThe Beaufort Arms, Cheltenham
Cheltenham Guest House, Cheltenham
The Prestbury House, Cheltenham
The Cheltenham Townhouse, Cheltenham
