On the 7th September 2024, there was a wonderful workshop celebrating Holst’s ‘The Planet Suite’. The venue was the Norman church of St. Mary’s in Chepstow. The event was organised by Fiona Crawley, Director of the Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra. It was extremely well attended!
Thomas Payne who is based now in London ran the rehearsals and then conducted the concert. Thomas conducted the orchestra for a few years before moving onto the ‘Big Smoke’. It must have been quite an undertaking as nearly every instrument is represented at some point in the piece working with 75 players with eclectic playing skills. Leading the orchestra was Marie Roberts who has played solo pieces with the orchestra in the past.
The Planets Suite is one of the great classics of the orchestral world and has been played by the orchestra on a couple of occasions. The last movement, Neptune, requires a full choir to sing the very mystical ‘out of this world’ melody. This sound was provided by members of the Gloucester Choral Society and Chepstow Chatelaine. A great day for all and one to be remembered!
