Gustav Holst was a British composer best known for his orchestral suite The Planets. He composed the suite between 1914 and 1916, and it has since become one of the most popular works in the classical music repertoire. Holst was born in Cheltenham, England in 1874 and studied at the Royal College of Music in London. He was an accomplished pianist and organist, and he wrote many pieces for both instruments. Holst's other works include the operas Savitri and At the Boar's Head, as well as several choral works.