This Day in the Arts — February 27 in Music History
I had to do some sleuthing to track down the details of the event I’m celebrating today. Although it was mentioned in a couple of sources, other sources seemed to contradict the information. However, we can justifiably celebrate this anniversary today without fear of error. On February 27, 1919, Sir Adrian Boult conducted the first public performance of Gustav Holst’s symphonic suite The Planets although in that concert the work was not heard in its entirety. An earlier two-piano version of the work had been performed some time before that, and Boult also conducted a private unveiling of the orchestral version in 1918. The first public performance of the full work was in 1920. See why I had to check my facts?