The Cloud Messenger, Op. 30 (arr. J. Fort for mixed choir and chamber ensemble)
5 Partsongs, Op. 12

The 5 Partsongs, Op. 12 alone by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) should be enough to convince anyone that 'The Planets' orchestral suite wasn't just a flash in the pan for this composer. Although he is known primarily for this hugely popular and brilliant orchestral showpiece, with over 80 available recordings to support its success, many more of his works display the same level of harmonic mastery and highly evocative imagery. Everyone is familiar with the Christmas hymn In the Bleak Midwinter written by Holst, and how beautifully rich its harmonies are. Well these 5 Partsongs are equally harmonically expressive and emotively touching. They are all sung here with committed care and attention to nuance and depth of feeling by the Choir of King's College London.

Holst completed his choral work The Cloud Messenger in 1910, the same year that Ralph Vaughan Williams premiered A Sea Symphony, and there are some points of comparison between the two. A mere four years later he started working on The Planets and certain passages in The Cloud Messenger already presage the fundamental motifs that would form the basis for Jupiter and Saturn for example. It evokes an ancient Sanskrit tale of an exiled yaksha who spies a passing cloud and sends upon it a message of love to his distant wife in the Himalayas, in which the rain falling from the cloud plays a key role in the story. As with The Planets it's brilliantly orchestrated and incorporates the choral voices within the orchestral fabric to form a unified force. It was originally scored for full orchestra, but this version, arranged for a chamber ensemble by conductor Joseph Fort himself, works just as well and actually allows for more choral detail, and opens the overall textures and in some segments sounds as light as a cloud (pun intended).

The Strand Ensemble is a group of top tier musicians pulled together to participate in special projects with the Choir of King's College London. It includes members from the London Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. This seems to be the first recording they've appeared on and let's hope for more. They sound as polished and colorful as any full orchestra.

The musical style of The Cloud Messenger is highly representative of Gustav Holst, with an added Indian flavor for spice. Once you hear it you will realize that this early 20th century British composer was headed in a unique direction all his own, far from the musical upheaval that was just around the corner.