Gustav Holst and Thomas Hardy

In 1922 Thomas Hardy invited Gustav Holst to visit him at Max Gate near Dorchester. Holst set off on a walking trip in Dorset. And he took a Panama hat with him. After a few days he presented himself at the poet’s house, Hardy’s wife mistook Holst identity. “Oh,” she said, “Mr Hardy never sees photographers.” Fortunately, Holst had his invitation, and all was well. 

It is reported that Holst was disappointed with Hardy’s musical interests. It seems that the poet’s favourite piece of music was Drink to me Only with Thine Eyes.

It was during this visit that the foundation for what is possibly Holst’s most profound work was laid – Egdon Heath. The basic mood for this work is found in Thomas Hardy’s novel The Return of the Native. Hardy describes the heath as:

“…a place perfectly accordant to man’s nature – neither ghastly, hateful, nor ugly; neither common place, unmeaning nor tame; but like man, slighted and enduring; and withal singularly colossal and mysterious in its swarthy monotony.”

It is this philosophy that can make much of Holst’s music uncompromising and requiring effort from the listener to engage with. It is not music with the heart worn on the sleeve.

In 1927 Holst paid another call on Thomas Hardy. Unbelievably, he took the train to Bristol and walked down to Dorchester – as distance of about 65 miles. It was a long and pleasant hike through the Mendips to Wells and then via Castlecary and Sherborne. It took him four days. Holst had already written to the poet to announce his visit and to tell him that he was going to dedicate Egdon Heath to him. Apparently, he spent a glorious day with Hardy.

After a delicious lunch they went on a motor trip into the heathlands. The object of their trip was a church with the wonderful name of Puddletown. There they inspected the wooden musicians’ gallery where Hardy’s grandfather had often performed. After their time together, Hardy accepted the dedication of Egdon Heath “with pleasure.”

Interestingly, by this time, Thomas Hardy had heard The Planets on gramophone records belonging to T.E Lawrence (of Arabia) who was stationed at Bovington nearby. His musical education was improving!

Holst wrote to his daughter explaining that “It has been an unbelievable day.” Later he was to say of Thomas Hardy: “There was a wealth of experience of town and country, deep and controlled emotion, wisdom and humour all clothed in perfect courtesy and kindliness.”