When I was but a wee classical music lover, just starting to learn the clarinet, I went to my local classical music record store in Portland (RIP, Classical Millennium), and said to one of employees there "The Planets is my favorite piece, what else by Holst should I get?" and the response was essentially "Holst didn't really write anything else like that...here try some Vaughan Williams instead."
NTT: My first thought was Dvorak because it was string chamber music that was tuneful and I liked it. Then it sounded way more classical than that so I was going to change my main guess to a young Mendelssohn. Then I noticed the guitar, which is going to make me have to guess guitar composers with at least a foot in the classical style (if not completely in it). Unfortunately, I think all the guitar composers I know are at least solidly Romantic onward (Albeniz, Rodrigo, Brouwer, Granados).... so I will just hope it's Tarrega!
NTT: Rather than just put in the usual Classical era trio, I'll specifically guess Haydn - he strikes me as the one most likely to include a guitar(?) in his chamber music.
Taste is, of course, very personal, but my view is that you way overrate "Planets" and underrate the rest of Holst's works. Yes, he is not among the first rank of composers but all of his works are skillfully written and many contain beautiful moments that make them worth listening to.
When I was but a wee classical music lover, just starting to learn the clarinet, I went to my local classical music record store in Portland (RIP, Classical Millennium), and said to one of employees there "The Planets is my favorite piece, what else by Holst should I get?" and the response was essentially "Holst didn't really write anything else like that...here try some Vaughan Williams instead."
I'd have steered you toward “The Firebird” or maybe “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” but I agree with the employee's sentiment.
NTT: My first thought was Dvorak because it was string chamber music that was tuneful and I liked it. Then it sounded way more classical than that so I was going to change my main guess to a young Mendelssohn. Then I noticed the guitar, which is going to make me have to guess guitar composers with at least a foot in the classical style (if not completely in it). Unfortunately, I think all the guitar composers I know are at least solidly Romantic onward (Albeniz, Rodrigo, Brouwer, Granados).... so I will just hope it's Tarrega!
NTT: Rather than just put in the usual Classical era trio, I'll specifically guess Haydn - he strikes me as the one most likely to include a guitar(?) in his chamber music.
Korngold also wrote a *fabulous* left-hand concerto for Wittgenstein. Franz Schmidt as well, I believe.
Taste is, of course, very personal, but my view is that you way overrate "Planets" and underrate the rest of Holst's works. Yes, he is not among the first rank of composers but all of his works are skillfully written and many contain beautiful moments that make them worth listening to.