This paperback edition is updated to include new insights into Holst's life and work resulting from the discovery of important unseen archival materials.

Foreword'She do favour 'er Pa': Infancy and early schooldays, 1907-20'Corn-coloured pigtails and very blue eyes': St Paul's Girls' School, 1921-6'To be best when all are good': The Royal College of Music, 1926-30'Wandering about Europe', 1930-31'Life is not going to be too easy for you': London and elsewhere, 1931-8'A present from the Government': Travelling with CEMA, 1939-42'A wonderful opportunity': Dartington, 1942-50'She is quite brilliant': India to Aldeburgh, 1950-52'The excitement of working with Ben': an introduction to the Aldeburgh DiaryAldeburgh Diary, September 1952-March 1954'The thing that one wants to do most in the whole world', 1955-64'The joy of learning about Holst via Britten', 1964-76'Old age - Protest against disintegration - Gradual calming down - Acceptance', 1977-84'A real composer': an introduction to Imogen Holst's musical styleChronological list of works