Imogen Holst

Music teacher, conductor, writer, editor and composer, Imogen Holst was the daughter of Gustav Holst—on whose life and works she wrote the definitive studies. Born in Richmond in 1907, she studied at the Royal College of Music.  She was director of music at Dartington Arts Centre between 1943 and 1951, before moving to Aldeburgh to become a Co-director of the Festival and Britten's personal assistant from 1952-64.  Her later years were mainly devoted to editing, recording and promoting her father's music.  Although she only composed when asked to do so, she left a small, useful and distinctive output.