Holst’s early works show influences of [[Wagner]], [[Edvard Grieg|Grieg]] and [[Antonin Dvorak|Dvorak]]; but his own voice can be heard, especially the exquisite little ''“Ave Maria”'' for female chorus. Like RVW he was a slow developer and he was into his late thirties before his music became consistent in quality. By then he had absorbed [[plainsong]] and [[medieval]] [[poetry]] and the modal harmonies of the past into what he called “the musical idiom of the English language”. Still, many of his songs, and folksong settings, and hymns and other works for the church are frequently performed today. Perhaps because of his long association with St. Paul’s, his use of the female voice in choral works is outstanding. | Holst’s early works show influences of [[Wagner]], [[Edvard Grieg|Grieg]] and [[Antonin Dvorak|Dvorak]]; but his own voice can be heard, especially the exquisite little ''“Ave Maria”'' for female chorus. Like RVW he was a slow developer and he was into his late thirties before his music became consistent in quality. By then he had absorbed [[plainsong]] and [[medieval]] [[poetry]] and the modal harmonies of the past into what he called “the musical idiom of the English language”. Still, many of his songs, and folksong settings, and hymns and other works for the church are frequently performed today. Perhaps because of his long association with St. Paul’s, his use of the female voice in choral works is outstanding. |