Introduction The Planets is one of the most popular pieces of classic music in Britain. There are countless numbers of recordings. Because of the inclusion of Egdon Heath – Holsts’ own favourite, I have chosen the recording on the Teldec label, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Chorus. Released in October 1994. It is my view that Sir Andrew Davies interpretation of Holst is one of the best.
The Composer Gustavus Theodore von Holst was born in Cheltenham on 21st September 1874 (by happy coincidence this is also my birthday well the month and day but not the year.). He had a musical upbringing. His father was a piano teacher and from an early age Gustav was encouraged to practice the piano daily. He also studied the violin and trombone. As a boy, Gustav’s suffered from a number of health problems including asthma and neuritis in his right arm and was also short sighted.
Determined to follow a musical career he studied at the Royal College of Music and went on to teach this subject at St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, where he composed many of his works.
Holst was in his forties when he began work on an orchestral suite, entitled 'Seven Pieces for Large Orchestra'. This was to become The Planets and was completed in 1916. Each piece portrays a mood, intended to represent the characteristics of each planet based on the book 'What is a Horoscope?' by Alan Leo.
The Planets For orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32 No 1: Mars, The Bringer of War Holst made the decision to perform Mars at a fast tempo to emphasise the inhuman forces utilized and mechanized strategy behind war. Mars is confident and forceful. The battle music is dominated by the repeated rhythm and develops the feeling of the relentless movement of war highlighting the doom that precedes it and the cruelty and violence that accompanies it. Holst actually composed this early in 1914 just before the horrors of the First World War were to unfold.
No 2: Venus, the Bringer of Peace Holst placed this movement purposefully after Mars to contrast further the effects of war with the calm of peace. He is said to have taken his inspiration from the words of Alan Leo: "Venus creates orderly harmonic motion.... everywhere it produces order out of disorder, harmony out of discord." The mood of this movement is one of calmness and tranquillity with the feminine charm of Venus shining through.
No 3: Mercury, the Winged Messenger The planet Mercury is situated closer to the sun than any of the other known and as such has the shortest year in the solar system. The effect of this short year is that from Earth Mercury seams to flit relatively quickly across the heavens, due to this feature Mercury was seen as the winged messenger of the planets. Accordingly this movement is lively and fun. Mercury can be heard flittering and flickering about. The melodic line rises and falls delightfully moving around without any regular pattern. According to Alan Leo, Mercury represents the personalities of earthly life.
No 4: Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity This is most played and most recognised of all the movements. The mood of this piece is very much in keeping with the astrological interpretation of Jupiter as the planet of benevolence and generosity. A fanfare of woodwind opens the movement in a bustle of activity. This is followed by a relaxed and majestic sense of self-satisfaction and smugness. Jupiter appears to invite all to share in his Jollity and moves with the music swirls and gracefully dances. In the centre of the movement is a singing melody. This was later set to the words to a famous poem by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. The first verse of which was played at the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana and the second at Diana's funeral.
No 5: Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age Holst based Saturn on a previous work, Dirge and Hymeneal. Alternating chords open the movement reminiscent of the sound of the church bells. A slow and solemn procession of woodwind instruments moves forward rising to a climax in a series of syncopated gasps vividly portraying a struggle for breath. The movement then relaxes into a serene and peaceful mood of acceptance.
No 6: Uranus, the Magician Described as a nightmarish version of Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice. In a similar manner, Holst uses his music to depict the awe, anticipation excitement and wonderment, which are felt by an observer as a magician works himself up to a climax the completing his trick. The movement has a lively skipping rhythm and Holst utilizes dominant brass instruments and drums from the start to build up to the climax. For the climax Holst writes in a striking glissando (a rapid ascending slide across the full organ keyboard).
No 7: Neptune, the Mystic Alone in the depth of space at the far reaches of our solar system is Neptune (Pluto having not yet been discovered by astronomers however its existence had at the time Holst composed this peace been predicted by theoretical scientists.) This movement portrays the loneliness and emptiness of space where Neptune roams. Holst direction for this movement was “dead tone, except for the clarinet”. The tone is indeed vague portraying no emotional feeling until a wordless chorus enters accompanying the orchestra. They are left on their own and then fade away to nothingness.
Egdon Heath
For orchestra, Op.47 Egdon Heath was dedicated to the memory of Thomas Hardy who Holst visited whilst in Dorset. Egdon Heath is a vast expanse of Moorland between Dorchester and Bournemouth and is utilised as the backdrop to Thomas Hardy’s Return of the Native. In fitting with Hardy's style of writing, the piece is a serious and morose portraying dark threatening clouds. The deep bass underlines the activity of the higher strings depicting a storm over a wild torrid heath. The storm relaxes and the bass is plucked to represent the resumption of normality. The strings continue in a melancholany style. A fanfare sounds, the music quietens and fades away.
The Conductor Andrew Davis has been the Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 1989.
The Orchestra The orchestra for this recording is extended to include quadruple woodwind, six horns, an organ and two timpanists.
The Chorus The chorus as the title suggests (For orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32) is comprised of female voices alone.
Reasons to buy Music based on astrology is rare. The piece is almost unique in its idea and style. The music is dramatic and is memorable. Themes from the Planets have been used in numerous films and television scores and for advertising including Paradise Road, The Right Stuff, The Quatermass Experiment and Dulux Weather shield, to name but a few. Listen out when you get to know the pieces and you will no doubt find hundreds of other examples.
Priced at £8.99 the CD is eminently affordable and for the pleasure and entertainment it brings great value for money.
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