Our programme reflects the changing styles of music across centuries. The distinctive Baroque sound reflected the instruments of the 18th century and evolved in Europe, often for Church use as sponsors. Antonio Vivaldi reflected this in his huge library of secular, sacred and operatic works. The “Gloria”, composed around 1715, is one of these. By the 20 th Century, not only had instruments evolved, but Gustav Holst was one of the composers who succeeded in establishing an English composing style. The “Cloud Messenger” brings much of this together. In Holst’s 150th anniversary year we present this work, which is gaining increasing acceptance as a pivotal point in the development of the romantic English style.