Written in 1916, Gustav Holst's setting of the traditional Cornish poem, "This have I done for my true love" shows his penchant for folk music and dance. Inspired by Holst's friend Conrad Noel, vicar of Thaxted in Essex, who was a champion of the revival of folk dancing and music in Anglican church services, this work has an undeniable dance-like quality. In this a cappella piece for mixed chorus and solo soprano, the lilting melody is introduced by the soloist. As the chorus enters, each subsequent verse is given a setting that is carefully matched to the mood of the lyrics being sung. The beginnings of Holst's unique harmonic style are evident in the tonal shifts and instantaneous dissonances created in the choral verses. The canonic structure of some verses gives a feeling of Medieval sacred music and other verses carry a traditional folk song style. Lush and harmonically complex, this piece is a small gem in Holst's extensive body of choral works.



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