Japanese Suite by Holst for Flute Choir

Japanese Suite by Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Japanese Suite, written by Gustav Holst in 1915, grew out of his collaboration with the Japanese dancer Michio Itō for a planned London performance. All the themes, aside from the “Marionette Dance”, come directly from traditional melodies that Itō whistled for Holst to transcribe.

This piece was arranged with a large flute choir in mind, but it can be adapted to

several configurations.

The arrangement includes parts for:

1 piccolo, 6 flutes, 2 alto flutes, bass flute, and contrabass flute

• 1 Piccolo: This part can be omitted if necessary. The material is covered in other parts, and in the Prelude the piccolo line is partly original to this arrangement.
• 6 C Flutes: Flutes 5 and 6 share material with Alto Flutes 1 and 2 and the Bass Flutes. While not completely covered, one or the other may be omitted without losing the character of the piece.
• 2 Alto Flutes: C Flute parts are provided if needed.
• Bass Flute & Contrabass Flute: The Bass Flute and Contrabass Flute parts are nearly identical, with only a few differences. The Contrabass Flute may be omitted.