Music from outer space!!

The Planets, op. 32, Gustav Holst

Perhaps one of my wife's favorite works, The Planets, may be a very approachable work to listen to for those of us that aren't used to listening to symphonic art music.

Written between 1914-1916, this work was influenced by some who were very interested in astrology, including the composer. The Planets is for orchestra, although I have lately read that it was for two pianos originally. Holst takes the listener through the solar system's planets beginning with the planet closest to earth, Mars. He then works his way from Mars, to Venus, then to Jupiter and so on. Pluto was not discovered as a planet until 1930, and therefore was not included in this work. Holst named the movements after the planets and the planet's corresponding Roman diety:

1- Mars, the Bringer of War

2-Venus, the Bringer of Peace

3- Mercury, the Winged Messenger

4- Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

5- Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age

6- Uranus, the Magician

7- Neptune, the Mystic

All of these are for orchestra and vary in intensity. Neptune includes two three-part women's choruses and is the first orchestral piece to have a written "fade out." My wife has termed this movement, Neptune, the Creepy. It does have an eerie presence which adds to the diversity of character between movements. Mars begins with a "bang" to get you going. Many people enjoy Jupiter. You will find that you will recognize Jupiter from the Reeses commercial. If you decide to listen to this piece, which you should, you would find it best to start with Mars, or Jupiter. It is not completely necessary to listen in order. Jupiter is interesting also in that it begins with a certain bustling theme and is abruptly interrupted by this chorale like melody. I am not sure if this melody is an English folk tune or not. Holst, like many of his contemporaries was very interested in folk music. After the iteration of the chorale like melody, the original bustling melody comes back. Very interesting and inspiring.

There is so much to say about these works, but I think this gives you a start. I could give you some other quick thoughts though... Holst was influenced by Richard Wagner, and Richard Strauss; was friends with Ralph Vaughan Williams; composed the tune to "In the Bleak Mid-winter" as well as many other carols; and was disappointed that the success of op. 32 overshadowed most of his other works. If you like Holst, you will probably like other composers like him including Vaughan Williams, Copland, Ravel... to name a few.

This is definitely worth your listening. This is fun listening... Mars is great to vacuum to!