Adopt Gustav Holst’s Legendary Piano and Own a Piece of Music History!

Gustav Holst, the renowned composer best known for his orchestral suite 'The Planets,' has a special connection to a small grand piano that is now being offered for adoption. The Holst Victorian House museum in Cheltenham, where Holst was born, has launched an 'adopt an object' scheme to raise essential funds for the upkeep of the historic site. The piano, which Holst used to compose some of his most famous works, can be adopted for a fee of £3,000 for one year. The piano sits in a beautifully decorated period room, complete with green floral wallpaper, a pink damask chair, and a tapestry, reflecting the Victorian style of Holst's era.

The museum is not only offering Holst's piano for adoption but also other significant items from his life, such as his family gramophone, portraits, and autographed manuscripts. Martin Renshaw from the Holst Birthplace Trust explained that the goal is to raise £25,000 to support the museum, which has already seen a few adoptions since the scheme began last week. In total, 15 objects are available for adoption, each with its own unique story and connection to Holst. One of the portraits shows Holst in a black suit, holding a music score, seated against a leafy green wallpaper background. Holst was born in the modest terraced house in 1874 and lived there until his mother's death in 1882. The house was converted into a museum in 1975 and now attracts around 4,500 visitors annually.

Sabine Orton, a representative from the museum, highlighted the challenges of maintaining an 1830s house, noting that constant repairs are needed. The museum is run by volunteers and is always seeking new ways to secure its future. 'We're stable but we're looking to secure the next 50 years,' she said. To mark its 50th anniversary, the museum has put up 15 objects for adoption, including Holst's piano, which Renshaw described as 'the jewel in the crown. ' He explained that the piano is lighter than most because Holst had a weakness in his hand and needed a piano that was easier to play.

Another notable item up for adoption is Holst's handwritten score for 'The Perfect Fool,' a ballet music manuscript that is rare because Holst usually had others copy his scores due to his hand problems. Laura Kinnear, the museum's curator, called it an 'amazing score' and one of the museum's most significant manuscripts. She explained that 'The Perfect Fool' was Holst's first major work after 'The Planets,' but it was not well received. In fact, the audience almost booed it off the stage during its premiere at Covent Garden, and the opera was never performed again.

Adopting an object comes with several benefits, including a certificate, public acknowledgment, and membership in the Friends of Holst Victorian House. The museum encourages people to get involved and help preserve Holst's legacy by supporting the museum through these adoptions. They also invite the public to share story ideas about Gloucestershire and to connect with them via email or their website.

Images of Holst and his daughter Imogen Holst, who was also a musician, are shared to help visitors learn more about the composer and his family. The Holst Victorian House remains a cherished destination for music enthusiasts and history lovers, and the adoption scheme is a creative way to ensure its continued operation and the preservation of Holst's memory for future generations.