String Trio in G minor – Gustav Holst

String Trio in G minor by Gustav Holst

Holst would complete this String trio for Violin, Viola and Cello in 1894 at the age of 20. Holst had applied for a scholarship at the Royal College of Music the preceding year but was passed over in favour of the composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Adolph von Holst (father of Gustav) borrowed £100 to help Gustav complete his first year as a non-scholarship student at the Royal College in 1893.

In 1890 it had become apparent that the young Holst suffered from poor eyesight, asthma and a condition called Neuritis. This condition caused inflammation of the peripheral nerves resulting in weak or numb muscles as well as intermittent bouts of muscle pain. This condition made playing instruments like the piano difficult for Holst, and may also have been connected to his poor eyesight.

The lack of a scholarship and the expenses of living in London by 1893 forced Holst into a frugal lifestyle, becoming a vegetarian and teetotaller to save money. This did not dissuade the young Holst in his goal of becoming a composer. To this end Holst saved enough money from performing with the Trombone to support his studies at the Royal College in 1894 after the £100 his father borrowed had been spent. In 1895 the Royal College would acknowledge the incredible talent of the young Holst and award him a scholarship.

This work would not have a public premiere until 1984. This Trio is comprised of four movements:
I. Allegro Agitato
II. Vivace
III. Adagio quasi Andante
IV. Allegro agitato