Gustav Holst's 'Choral Fantasy on Old Carols' was composed in 1910, just two years before the similar work, Fantasia on Christmas Carols, by his good friend Ralph Vaughan Williams made its debut. It seems to have been composed for a Christmas concert given in London by Morley College, where the premiere likely took place. The carols employed - Good Christian Men Rejoice, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, Come Ye Lofty, Come Ye Lowly, and The First Nowell - include a couple also found in the Vaughan Williams work.
This newly engraved and researched vocal score by Richard W. Sargeant Jr. is based upon the composer's manuscript and the first edition vocal score and orchestral parts issued by Novello in the same year it was written. Holst's fantasy is shorter by about 5 minutes than the Vaughan Williams and offers a different view of the familiar tunes. Printed in a very readable large size with a chorus' needs in mind, this new definitive vocal score will be a welcome addition to choral libraries everywhere. The full conductor's score and orchestral parts are also available from Serenissima Music.