I was researching the Second Suite in F by Holst, and came across this outline here (click):

Student Study Guide: "Fantasia on the `Dargason'" from Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst

Background Information

The Second Suite in F (1922) is one of several compositions written for band by the British composer Gustav Holst in the early part of the 20th Century. While the military band was not Holst's main musical medium, he along with his friend and colleague, Ralph Vaughan Williams, wrote several significant works for band, many of which are based on English folk tunes.

In the early part of the 20th Century a growing sense of nationalism in a number of countries inspired many composers to use folk melodies as a basis for their compositions.

Other works written for bands by Holst and his contemporaries during this period include:

Gustav Holst

• First Suite in Eb
• Moorside March
• Somerset Rhapsody
• Hammersmith
Ralph Vaughan Williams
• English Folk Song Suite
• Toccata Marziale
• Flourish for Wind Band
• Rhosymedre
• Sea Songs
Percy Grainger
• Colonial Song
• Irish Tune from County Derry
• Lincolnshire Posy
• Children's March, Over the Hills and Faraway
• Molly on the Shore
• Ye Bands and Braes' O Bonnie Doon
• Shepherd's Hey

Listening Activity

In the "Fantasia on the `Dargason'", Gustav Holst recycles the same elody or theme many times in rapid succession. Listen carefully nd count the number of times the theme is played.