Gustav Holst - Voice & Violin

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Gustav Holst - Four Songs for Voice and Violin

Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934): English composer, arranger and teacher. He is best known for his orchestral work,
'The Planets'

Listen to these Four Songs for Voice and Violin performed by Susan Gritton (soprano) and Louisa Fuller (violin): 



Susan Gritton 

Louisa Fuller
Violin and voice is a rare, but beautiful combination. Holst was inspired to use this pairing having heard one of his pupils singing to herself and playing her violin in Thaxted Church, Essex. Holst first came to Thaxted in 1913 and then moved to a cottage in the quiet hamlet of Monk Street, just outside Thaxted. Holst initiated the first Thaxted Music Festival in 1916. 


Thaxted Church, Essex, England


The medieval texts:

Each of these texts have Christian narratives and songs I & IV, in particular, are almost like love-songs to Jesus; 
a love of loyalty and complete devotion.

I. JESU SWEET
Jesu Sweet, now will I sing
To Thee a song of love longing;
Do in my heart a quick well spring
Thee to love above all thing.

Jesu Sweet, my dim heart's gleam
Brighter than the sunnèbeam!
As thou wert born in Bethlehem
Make in me thy lovèdream.

Jesu Sweet, my dark heart's light
Thou art day withouten night;
Give me strength and eke (also) might
For to loven Thee aright (properly).

Jesu Sweet, well may he be
That in Thy bliss Thyself shall see:
With lovè cords then draw Thou me
That I may come and dwell with Thee.


II. MY SOUL HAS NOUGHT BUT FIRE AND ICE

My soul has nought but fire and ice
And my body earth and wood:
Pray we all the Most High King
Who is the Lord of our last doom,
That He should give us just one thing
That we may do His will.


III. I SING OF A MAIDEN

I sing of a maiden (unmarried young woman)
That matchless is:
King of all Kings
Was her Son iwis.
He came all so still
Where His mother was
As dew in April that falleth on grass:
He came all so still
To His mother’s bower
As dew in April
That falleth on flower:
He came all so still
Where His mother lay
As dew in April
That formeth on spray (stem).
Mother and maiden
Was ne’er none but she:
Well may such a lady
God’s mother be.


IV. MY LEMAN IS SO TRUE
My Leman (lover) is so true
Of love and full steadfast
Yet seemeth ever new
His love is on us cast.
I would that all Him knew
And loved Him firm and fast,
They never would it rue
But happy be at last.

He lovingly abides
Although I stay full long
He will me never chide (rebuke)
Although I choose the wrong.
He says "Behold, my side
And why on Rood (crucifix) I hung;"
For my love leave thy pride
And I thee underfong (receive/understand).
I'll dwell with Thee believe,
Leman, under Thy tree.
May no pain e'er me grieve
Nor make me from Thee flee.
I will in at Thy sleeve
All in Thine heart to be;
Mine heart shall burst and cleave (split)
Ere (before) untrue Thou me see.



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