Music Sales AmericaGustav Holst (1874-1934) is widely regarded as one of the most original of 20th century composers, and The Planets , composed in 1914-16, established him as a really popular composer. The work, with its vivid sense of invention and use of driving rhythm, is a masterpiece of the 20th century orchestral repertoire. Arthur Wills has transcribed these three movements from The Planets for organ to make a superb set of recital pieces or voluntaries.

Hailed by Andre Gide as the patron saint of all outsiders, Simone Weil's short life was ample testimony to her beliefs. In 1942 she fled France along with her family, going firstly to America. She then moved back to London in order to work with de Gaulle. Published posthumously The Need for Roots was a direct result of this collaboration. Its purpose was to help rebuild France after the war. In this, her most famous book, Weil reflects on the importance of religious and political social structures in the life of the individual. She wrote that one of the basic obligations we have as human beings is to not let another suffer from hunger. Equally as important, however, is our duty towards our community: we may have declared various human rights, but we have overlooked the obligations and this has left us self-righteous and rootless. She could easily have been issuing a direct warning to us today, the citizens of Century 21.