Home of Leading Twentieth Century Musician Imogen Holst in Aldeburgh, Suffolk Listed
Nine Church Walk in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, the home of renowned composer and conductor Imogen Holst, has been listed at Grade II
The property was created by Jim and Betty Cadbury-Brown, designers for the 1951 Festival of Britain’s Southbank site
The house maintains a strong connection to Aldeburgh's musical heritage and contains furniture that belonged to Imogen’s father, the composer Gustav Holst
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Nine Church Walk in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
The single-storey modernist home, built in 1962 to 1964, was designed by notable architects HT (Jim) and Elizabeth (Betty) Cadbury-Brown for the acclaimed composer, arranger and conductor Imogen Holst, daughter of composer Gustav Holst.
In 1952, Imogen Holst was invited to assist composer Benjamin Britten who was working on his latest commission, the opera Gloriana, a work marking the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Imogen accepted and became Britten’s musical assistant, then later Artistic Director of the Aldeburgh Festival.
Imogen occupied a series of lodgings and rented flats in Aldeburgh until 9 Church Walk became her home. In thanking the Cadbury-Browns for the house, which was built on their land, Holst wrote: “…my IMMENSE and perpetual gratitude for the loveliest house in the world. I think of you both every night of the year and send blessings in your direction for having enabled me to get on with my work in such heavenly quiet and solitude and comfort.”
Imogen’s rent consisted only of a crate of wine for the Cadbury-Browns at Christmas and a steady supply of Aldeburgh Festival tickets. She lived at 9 Church Walk until her death in 1984.
The house features innovative design elements including a soundproofed music room where Imogen Holst worked and thoughtfully positioned windows framing views of the parish church.
The property has many original features, including built-in shelving systems, curtains with recessed tracking, and Holst's personal items such as her writing desk and coloured glass panel hung on the window in front of her desk to diffuse the sunlight. The property also houses Gustav Holst's oak music cupboard, where Imogen stored her father's manuscripts.
The house is now owned by Britten Pears Arts and is available as a holiday rental, allowing visitors to experience the special atmosphere of this artistic haven. It is also open to the public every year for Heritage Open Days.
Comments
Sir Chris Bryant, Heritage Minister, said: "The significance of Imogen Holst’s home extends far beyond its status as an unassuming yet notable example of Jim Cadbury-Brown’s architecture. It was here at 9 Church Walk where some of the greatest musical minds of the 20th century converged, exchanged ideas and laid the foundations of the Aldeburgh Festival - now a cornerstone of British classical music in its 76th year”.
"By listing this remarkable building, we preserve not only its architectural merit but also the rich legacy of Holst and her peers, ensuring their contributions continue to inspire generations to come."
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England, said: "The listing of 9 Church Walk celebrates an architecturally significant modernist home and a significant piece of musical history. The property tells the story of Imogen Holst's contribution to British music and her connection to the Aldeburgh Festival, which continues to enrich our cultural landscape today.”
Andrew Comben, Chief Executive, Britten Pears Arts said: “It’s wonderful to see this important and historic property being recognised in this way. Imogen Holst is such a key figure in British music history, and we want to ensure that her remarkable impact and legacy continues to be recognised. The Grade II listing of her house will help us to continue to tell her story on a national and international scale.”
Catherine Croft, Director, The Twentieth Century Society, said: “This modest mid-century bungalow was home to a hugely significant figure in 20th century British music, and where Imogen Holst exemplified the modern way of living.”
“Architect Jim Cadbury-Brown is perhaps best known for his assertive building for the Royal College of Art - right next to the Royal Albert Hall. Tucked away in a Suffolk village, the small but exquisite house at 9 Church Walk is a hidden gem in comparison yet thoroughly deserving of its place on the national register.”
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