G. Holst. Autograph first sketch for the orchestral "Scherzo", H192, 1933

Gustav Holst

Autograph first sketch for the Scherzo for orchestra, H192

a working manuscript, HOLST'S FIRST SKETCH FOR THE COMPLETE MOVEMENT, inscribed by Holst on the title-leaf "Scherzo 1st Sketch", written in black ink mostly on two staves on up to 10 systems per page, with some additional autograph entries in pencil, the original first four systems replaced by later music on two pasted-down strips, with a number of deletions

6 pages, plus title-leaf, folio (35.8 x 26.5cm), 24-stave paper, the title-leaf also inscribed by Imogen Holst ("For Jim, with love from Imogen. Dartington, July 1951"), cloth folder, no place or date [mostly by 18 August 1933] 

A COMPLETE MOVEMENT BY HOLST IN AUTOGRAPH SKETCH.

The orchestral movement, entitled Scherzo, is all that Holst, in the last year of his life, completed of a planned second symphony. The first orchestral sketch was finished on 18 August 1933, and orchestrated by the composer during the remaining eight months of his life. The first performance of the work took place on 6 February 1935, under the baton of Adrian Boult. A score was published by Boosey and Hawkes in 1947.