THE composer Gustav Holst will be discussed in a talk at the Elgar Birthplace Museum, Lower Broadheath, next week.

The speaker on Wednesday will be Dr Joanna Archibald, who is the curator of the Holst Birthplace Museum in Cheltenham.

It is the fourth in a series of illustrated talks on Music in Three Choirs Country.

The Holst Birthplace Museum is the only other British composer's birthplace museum.

"If all you know about Holst is that he wrote The Planets, then that's a good starting point for finding out more," said Margaret Fotheringham, of the Elgar Birthplace Museum.

Both Elgar and Holst conducted at the Three Choirs Festival and had music performed there. They both died in 1934.

"People who live in Malvern and know Elgar's life and music well will spot the parallels in Joanna's talk," said Mrs Fotheringham. "Both were keen cyclists!"

"There are similarities but also differences," said Dr Archibald. "Elgar was a Victorian and although he was only 17 years older than Holst, I think of Holst as being a 20th century composer."

Tickets for the talk cost £5 and are available from 01905 333224.