The focal point of the University of Reading’s London Road campus is the Great Hall. The striking, grade 2 listed building opened in 1905 and the organ was installed in 1910. The Great Hall is at the heart of the UoR community, regularly hosting University and public events. It has also been home to some figures that are significant to an international classical music audience; noted conductor Adrian Boult lead the University’s choral society at the beginning of his career, and composer Gustav Holst had an unfortunate run-in with the Great Hall’s stage.
The Hall has a great musical tradition and over the years has hosted internal concerts, carol services and smaller recitals. Reading Symphony Orchestra, Wokingham Choral Society, Reading Festival Chorus and the Reading Male Voice Choir regularly use the hall. It still plays a significant role in University life, hosting events from Graduation ceremonies and large public lectures to the item on the calendar all students dread most– University exams!
Gustav Holst
Gustav Holst is listed as tutor in the Department of Music in the College from 1920 until 1923. He conducted concerts by the Choral Society and Orchestra on 8 February and 15 June 1921, on 21 February (in the College Hall) and 20 June 1922 (in the College Grounds) and on 20 February (1923).
At some point during Holst’s engagement at the college there was a performance of The Planets on two pianos. It is not clear whether Holst was one of the pianists. There are reviews of some of Holst’s concerts in Tamesis, the university’s student magazine.
Holst was reported to have fallen off the stage at the Great Hall during one performance whilst conducting. This has lead at least one biographer to blame Reading for the composers death, some 11 years later.
Adrian Boult
Boult conducted the college’s orchestra and choir in 1919. He went on to conduct for the Royal Opera House, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic and he founded the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In 1954 Boult returned to Reading and conducted the University’s orchestra in its 50th Anniversary Concert.
The College Report and Accounts for 1919-20 record the resignation of Adrian Boult and the appointment of Gustav Holst as principal teacher of Harmony, Counterpoint and Composition, and as Conductor of the Choral Society and Orchestra.