This is a comprehensive, annotated list of compositions by Joseph Holbrooke. For a simplified version of this catalogue, arranged by opus number, see List of works by Joseph Holbrooke.
Holbrooke was notorious for continually revising and recasting his compositions in different forms:
"The most disconcerting aspect of any inquiry into the works of Holbrooke is that elucidation is not proportionate to the amount of facts unearthed: instead confusion, contradiction and complication tend to increase. It is characteristic that even the composer's name can be found in any combination of Joseph or Josef and Holbrook or Holbrooke. Many works bore various opus numbers at different periods; conversely, an opus number can be found attached to several different works; and the identity of some earlier compositions, particularly in the realm of chamber music, is difficult to trace because of recasting and incorporation into new definitive versions. It is in a way ironic that such a situation should arise with Holbrooke of all composers, for from the first he gave evidence of orderliness of mind in listing and designating his music (e.g. Poem No.2, Symphonic Quartet No.1); but revisions, rearrangements and reshufflings led to havoc from which not even works of later date, when the numbering system might have been expected to have settled down, are exempt."
Dramatic
Opera
Varenka (c.1907) [possibly unfinished, no longer extant ]
Pierrot and Pierrette, Op.36a (1908) [later revised as The Stranger ]
Dylan, Son of the Wave, Op.53 (1909) [No.2 of the cycle The Cauldron of Annwn]
The Children of Don, Op.56 (1910–12) [No.1 of the cycle The Cauldron of Annwn]
The Enchanter, opera-ballet, Op.70 (1914) [originally assigned as Op.65, also titled The Wizard ] Bronwen, Op.75 (1915–24, revised 1928 ) [No.3 of the cycle The Cauldron of Annwn, originally assigned as Op.67 ] The Sailor's Arms, operetta, Op.105 (1925–30) The Snob, operetta, Op.114 (1920s) [originally assigned as Op.49, also assigned as Op.88, also assigned as Op.102 ] Tamlane, opera-ballet, Op.132 (1941–43)
Ballet
Pierrot, ballet suite, Op.36b [for interpolation into the opera Pierrot and Pierrette, Op.36a (1908), adapted from the Pantomime suite, Op.16a (1896–97) ] The Revels Arlequin Columbine Pantalon Clown Tarantelle Coromanthe (c.1917) [also titled The Dawn of Love, no longer extant, originally assigned as Op.61 ] The Moth and the Flame, Op.62 (1912–17) [originally published under the pseudonym Jean Hanze] The Masque of the Red Death, Op.65 (1904–13) [originally assigned as Op.47, originally styled Poem No.8, also titled The Red Masque, originally published under the pseudonym Jean Hanze] The Palace Gates, outside - Entrance of the Guests Dance of the Buffoons, and the deformed The Violet Room - Dance of Prince Prospero The Blue Room - A Bacchanal Dance The Scarlet Room - Dance of Death Pandora (1919) [recast in Film Music Suite No.1, for dance orchestra and piano, Op.84 (c.1927)] Bronwen, ballet music, Op.75a (1929) [for interpolation into the opera Bronwen, Op.75] Welsh Dance No.1 Welsh Dance No.2 Welsh Dance No.3 Irish Dance No.1 Irish Dance No.2 Aucassin and Nicolette, Op.115 (1935)
Incidental music
Pontorewyn, Op.26c (1914) [originally assigned as Op.17 No.8 ]
Llwyfan y byd, Op.117a (1935) [also titled Theatre of the World ]
Beccles Tower, Op.117b (1930s) Harlech, pageant (1930s) Spalding, pageant (1930s)