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The Planets: Op. 32
Among the most popular and important modern British composers, Gustav Holst (1874–1934) was a true eccentric, given to odd enthusiasms and mystical musings. His spectacular symphonic work The Planets, first performed in 1918, established his international reputation and remains a staple of the orchestral repertoire to this day.
Scored for huge orchestral forces and a wordless chorus, the work is divided into seven movements, the music of each embodying the astrological and mystical qualities of a different planet. From the ominous, relentless march of "Mars, the Bringer of War" to the robust festivities of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" and the weird, unearthly hush of "Neptune, the Mystic," the emotional and innovative techniques of the suite have delighted and thrilled its vast audience ever since its spectacular debut. Musicians and music lovers alike will want to own this authoritative, attractive, and inexpensive full score.
Scored for huge orchestral forces and a wordless chorus, the work is divided into seven movements, the music of each embodying the astrological and mystical qualities of a different planet. From the ominous, relentless march of "Mars, the Bringer of War" to the robust festivities of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" and the weird, unearthly hush of "Neptune, the Mystic," the emotional and innovative techniques of the suite have delighted and thrilled its vast audience ever since its spectacular debut. Musicians and music lovers alike will want to own this authoritative, attractive, and inexpensive full score.
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2000
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September 8, 2024
Because The Planets has always been such a popular success and because it was largely a one-hit-wonder from a composer who otherwise sits slightly outside the standard classical canon, I’m often guilty of forgetting just how marvellous a piece of music it is. I “rediscover” it every once in a while and invariably fall for it all over again. There is no greater orchestral showpiece, ain’t that the truth? Nothing else strikes such a perfect balance between rich and colourful orchestration, haunting consistency of melody, rhythmic infectiousness, tight pacing, and ingeniously simple imaginativeness of conception. In concert, it’s also very very loud!
When I finally come to power it shall be enshrined into law that every 10-year-old must be gifted a concert ticket, courtesy of the state, to see a performance of this bombastic masterpiece from a seat somewhere in the front stalls. Forget Mozart, Holst is what young people need to see.
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What’s your favourite planet? I always think we should show Saturn a bit more love. Mars, the Bringer of War and Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity take all the glory (justifiably so), but the last few minutes of Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age are sublime, tailing off, as they do, into radiantly orchestrated peacefulness and bliss.
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed…”
When I finally come to power it shall be enshrined into law that every 10-year-old must be gifted a concert ticket, courtesy of the state, to see a performance of this bombastic masterpiece from a seat somewhere in the front stalls. Forget Mozart, Holst is what young people need to see.
—
What’s your favourite planet? I always think we should show Saturn a bit more love. Mars, the Bringer of War and Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity take all the glory (justifiably so), but the last few minutes of Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age are sublime, tailing off, as they do, into radiantly orchestrated peacefulness and bliss.
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed…”
Displaying 1 of 1 review