Thaxted [Alf:81-WWQ1258]

This piece started out as a theme from the Jupiter movement of Gustav Holst's orchestral suite The Planets. Later, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Holst himself adapted poems to fit the tune, and today over 20 hymns, patriotic songs, and other settings are set to this theme. This woodwind quintet arrangement stays true to Holst's work and allows each of the instruments a chance to carry part of the tune's engaging melody.