 His distinctive compositional style was the product of many influences, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss being most crucial early in his development.The subsequent inspiration of the English folksong revival of the early 20th century, and the example of such rising modern composers as Maurice Ravel, led Holst to develop and refine an individual style.There were professional musicians in the previous three generations of Holst's family and it was clear from his early years that he would follow the same calling.