Holst: The Planets, Op. 32

On this CD:

1. The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125
Composed by Gustav Holst
Performed by Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Eduardo Mata

Tracks:

Canon - Pachelbel
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik-Andante - Mozart
Fur Elise - Beethoven
String Quartet #1 - Tchaikovsky
Clair De Lune - Debussy
Idyl for Strings - Adagio - Janacek
Adagio in G Mnor - Albinoni
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair - Debussy
Air on a G String - Bach
Greensleeves - Vaughn Williams
Largo from Xerxes - Handel
Prelude in C - Bach
The Planets - Venus - Holst
Goldberg Variations - Aria - Bach
Adagio for Strings - Barber

Tracks:

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun - Debussy
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Holberg Suite - Sarabande - Grieg
Valse Triste - Sibelius
Concerto in F Minor - Largo - Bach
Serenade for String - Moderato - Dvorak
Liebestraume - Liszt
Ave Maria - Bach/Bounod
Etude in E Major - Chopin
String Quartet No 2 - Nocturne - Borodin
Arabesque - Debussy
Pavane for Dead Princess - Ravel
The Four Seasons - Largo - Vivaldi
Gymno0pedie 1 - Satie
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio - Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 21 - Andante - Mozart "Elvira Madigan"

Customer Reviews:

the most relaxing classical music in the university.......2007-05-12

All my favorites. I can start the CD player, which is wired to speakers in every room of my house, and just let it play, along with "The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the World" and "The Most Relaxing Classical Guitar in the World." I enjoy an awareness of familiar and beautiful strains of my favorites all day long and never get tired of it.

My brother visited me recently and noticed it right away. That will be another order for this fabulour music.

Relaxing Classical Music.......2007-01-08

I was not really a classical music fan but I am now. I purchased this cd for my 14 year old grand-daughter, not knowing we would both enjoy the music so much. She has always enjoyed classical music along with all of the other teen music, rap, rock, country, etc.
Also, it really helped being able to listen to parts of the music before purchasing.

Stress-freedom.......2006-03-14

Perfect music to end the work day. After listening to this I can face the evening. If the morning is hard, a little at lunch time gets me through the afternoon.

Greatly enjoy!.......2006-02-23

I first developed a taste for this music a number of years ago when my daughter started playing in the orchestra. The reason I made this purchase however, was because I have a great deal of difficulty with anxiety and I was looking for ways to find help. I love these CDs. It helps so much to sit and close my eyes and enjoy the music. The CDs are full of beautiful music.

the most relaxing classical music in the universe.......2005-09-21

it's the best next to the first one...

Average customer rating:

Good selection
thunderous applause
Good Music at a Great Price
You will like this!
Good for the novice

25 Thunderous Classics

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

25 Classical Favorites
Symphony (25) Favorites
25 Tchaikovsky Favorites
25 Mozart Favorites
25 Beethoven Favorites

ASIN: B00004Y6SQ
Release Date: 2000-09-05

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra (Sunrise) - R. Strauss
Mars (The Planets) - Holst
Overture 1812 - Tchaikovsky
Entry Of The Gladiadtors - Fucik
Sabre Dance - Khachaturian
Procession Of The Sardar - Ippolitov Ivanov
Night On Bald Mountain - Mussorgsky
Anvil Chor (II Trovatore) - Verdi
The Thunderer March - Sousa
Thunder & Lightening Polka - J. Strauss
Prelude To Act III : Lohengrin - Wagner
The Ride Of The Valkryies - Wagner
Montagues & Capulets (Romeo & Juliet Ballet Suite) - Prokofiev
The Storm: Symphony No. 6 In F Major, 'Pastorale' - Beethoven
Rondeau - Edward Carroll
Overture: Fireworks Music - Handel
March To The Scaffold: Symphonie Fantastique - Berlioz
LesToreadors - Bizet
William Tell Overture: Finale - Rossini
Revolutionary Study - Abbey Simon
Fanfare For The Common Man - Copland
Sym No. 1 'Titan' IV Sturmisch Bewegt (Excerpt) - Mahler
Augurs Of Spring From Rite Of Spring - Stravinsky
Russian Dance From Petrouchka - Stravinsky
The Great Gate At Kiev From Pictures At An Exhibition - Mussorgsky

Customer Reviews:

Good selection.......2005-10-02

I bought this CD to use in my classroom as listening examples. I'm not just a super big fan of some of the performances, but they are all good and for the price you can't beat it. That's why I gave it 5 stars. It's worth more than it costs by far.

thunderous applause.......2005-08-31

This is a who's-who of great pieces of music you have heard all of your life, and never knew the names and stories! I listened to it over and over in the car and had my own concert! A friend borrowed it to add music to his Home Movies and it was perfect!

Good Music at a Great Price.......2004-03-06

I bought this CD mostly for "Entry of the Gladiators," which everyone will recognize as classic circus music. The performance on this CD (by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops) is the best available version of Entry of the Gladiators. The rest of the CD offers mostly excerpts of classical music.

You will like this!.......2004-02-19

I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection and some were better than others.

This CD is at the top of them all. They may be short, but not that short. Wondrous music.

I can almost guarantee that you will like this music.
Well worth the price!

Good for the novice.......2002-06-08

The recordings on this disc are pretty good. However, the editors selected only the *loud* parts, as indicated by the title. I was pretty disappointed to find that the pieces are, in many cases, edited to reflect the most famous themes, etc, instead of including the whole work. In general, I would recommend this to the classical music novice, or someone who wants to expand their knowledge of classical music in general. Those who already are familiar with these pieces will probably feel gypped.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful! And with thanks to John Williams for introducing this listener to "The Planets!"
Streaming Space
ALMOST A REFERENCE RECORDING
It Doesn't Get Much Better
A fine CD at a friendly price

Holst: The Planets

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Copland: Appalachian Spring/Fanfare For The Common Man/El Salón México/Danzón Cubano
Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf/Saint-Saëns: The Carnival Of The Animals
Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris

ASIN: B000050AQC
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Tracks:

The Planets: Mars, The Bringer Of War
The Planets: Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
The Planets: Mercury, The Winged Messenger
The Planets: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity
The Planets: Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age
The Planets: Uranus, The Magician
The Planets: Neptune, The Mystic
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Suite
Star Wars: Main Title

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful! And with thanks to John Williams for introducing this listener to "The Planets!".......2007-05-07

I bought this CD after a Tanglewood concert a few years ago where John Williams, focusing on movie music including his own compositions, also conducted "The Planets." I recognized "Jupiter" as the theme music for a WQXR (the New York Times radio station) "New York at 6" program. It was a treat to find out where that piece came from. When I listened to this beautifully performed CD, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Williams' movie music included -- a brilliant move on the part of this item's producers (just listen to "Mars" and then to "Star Wars"). As another reviewer has suggested, it's not clear why his music was included, but there are similarities here which I'd love Mr. Williams to discuss some day. I've since become an avid amateur astronomer, and so the themes, musical and otherwise, projected in the works of Holst and Williams have become a special treat for the mind as well as the ear.

Streaming Space.......2006-11-17

Music to travel by - to the market, the mountain top - anywhere.
Beautiful music performed beautifully. A treat for the ears and
the soul.

ALMOST A REFERENCE RECORDING.......2006-11-10

Very good recording of The Planets. I like it even better than the Sir Alexander Gibson recording, although that was my previous favorite. This piece needs to be played dynamically, and Mehta certainly does that. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a certain amount of bombast and a decent workout for their woofers.

It Doesn't Get Much Better.......2006-09-26

This is the fourth recording of "The Planets" I've purchased, and I am extremely pleased. The Los Angeles Philharmonic was at its best here, and much of that was owed to the genius of its then director Zubin Mehta. Crisp arrangements, and a full orchestral sound is how you achieve the full effect of "The Planets." Other conductors should take note. Not my favorite, that honor still goes to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the leadership of Leopold Stokowski. But you definitely can't go wrong with this one.

A fine CD at a friendly price.......2006-09-01

I've heard several recordings of "The Planets," and I like this one very much. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (with Zubin Mehta conducting) and the Los Angeles Master Chorale (Women's voices) do a fine job of capturing the drama of the work. And I think it was a good idea to couple it with a little of the outer-space-related music of John Williams.

Holst wrote selections about all eight planets, except for the Earth. But what about Pluto? Oh, wait, it got demoted last week! It's only a dwarf planet. Or maybe just a big rock. In any case, we hear some imaginative musical descriptions of the remaining planets.

I recommend this excellent performance.

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

A good gift for novice

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rhapsody in Blue - Ultimate Piano Collection [20 CD Set]
Little Night Music - Ultimate Mozart Collection [20 CD Set]
Rendezvous of Angels - Concert Collection [20 CD Set]
Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]
Classical Evolution: Spanish Guitar Music

ASIN: B00012QLTQ
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Average customer rating:

Andre Previn-The Planets by JHA
Sometimes it's brilliant, sometimes it's not--but what did you expect with an interpretation of 'The Planets'?
Incredible music
Can't wait to go see it live!
From Mercury to Neptune...

Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op 32

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Moussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain/Pictures at an Exhibition
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Stravinsky: Rite Of Spring, Fireworks, Petrouchka / Ozawa, Tilson Thomas, Chicago Symphony
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites/ Holberg Suite

ASIN: B000003CU0
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

l. Mars, The Bringer Of War
ll. Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
lll. Mercury, The Winged Messenger
lV. Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity
V. Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age
Vl. Uranus, The Magician
Vll. Neptune, The Mystic

Customer Reviews:

Andre Previn-The Planets by JHA.......2007-04-06

I did not rate this #5, but it came very close. Any musical work that involves Andre Previn can be relied on to be outstanding, and this one was no disapointment.. Gustav Holst created the musical images and Andre Previn brought gave them life.. A most enjoyable CD..

Sometimes it's brilliant, sometimes it's not--but what did you expect with an interpretation of 'The Planets'?.......2006-10-01

There are so many recordings of this work. I often wonder how Gustav Holst would have felt if he were to have come to realize just how many people would treasure his beloved suite, `The Planets.' And so, as we begin the Twenty-first Century, we retain the legacy of this work through its myriad interpretations. And many would agree that no one recorded interpretation perfectly satisfies our respective views of how the suite should be performed. In essence, there exists in the grand multiplicity of recordings of this work no single, definitive edition. It is therefore necessary for the devoted fan of Holst's most masterful suite to collect as many versions as feasible in order to hear different aspects of the work performed to his or her native expectations.

And so we come to Andre Previn's interpretation of the suite. Overall, I believe Previn's is a competent performance. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra consistently produces satisfactory material (dare I mention Louis Clark's work with this orchestra on the Hooked On Classics series, a collection of albums for which many enthusiasts keep their deep affection a closely guarded secret), and Previn leads them very well in this recording. The best way to describe his performance here is that it offends no one--his tempi are within the range most people deem "acceptable," he does not emphasize any particular section within the orchestra, and he does not take any glaring liberties with the score. For that reason, I would say that Previn is a very good place for those who are searching for their first recording of `The Planets.'

However, we all have our preferences; some will find other versions far more enjoyable than Previn/RPO, and others will cite this one as the definitive recording. As for myself, I would have to say I fall in the middle. Previn's is a very good interpretation, but it is not my favorite. So far, James Levine/Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Charles Dutoit/Montreal Symphony Orchestra split that honor.

What follows is a detailed description of the five tracks to which I regularly listen. Note that my comments are restricted purely to Previn's interpretation of the suite; I assume my readers will have heard the work and are searching for a suitable recording.

"Mars, The Bringer Of War" - Previn is somewhat staid in this movement. Of course, my objectivity is somewhat compromised in that I have heard the Levine recording of the suite--one feels like he has just removed cotton balls from his ears when he hears the savage treatment the Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass give Holst's melodies. Previn takes a slightly faster tempo in this movement than that to which I am accustomed. The orchestra plays flawlessly, everything is exactly in place, yet the overall effect seems somewhat lost. The dynamics are too compressed, I believe. Even so, the brass section has a very nice tone, and the balance between sections is very nice. My final verdict is that you have not heard this movement performed to its full effect until you have heard Levine/CSO.

"Venus, The Bringer Of Peace" - Maestro Previn does better in this movement. The overall mood is captured beautifully, even though I prefer the soloists in Dutoit's recording (they are not bad here; it's just personal preference on my part for which I will not take away any points). Previn excels at delicate, pensive passages in exactly the manner that Levine does not. Levine is all about power and pomp, which shows on his interpretation of "Venus"--it sounds aimless and rushed. Even though I have praised Previn here, Dutoit/MSO remains the authority on this movement.

"Mercury, The Winged Messenger" - Yes! Previn does it here. His interpretation of this piece is superior to that of either Levine or Dutoit. The section beginning around the one-minute mark, where soli are passed between instruments, is beautiful in the extreme. The dynamic shifts throughout the movement are musical and pleasing. The balance between sections--especially important in this movement--is very well handled. Based on this performance, Previn sounds to me as though he might interpret Mendelssohn well (I should look into that).

"Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity" - This is by far my favorite movement in the suite. For me, the middle section of this movement ties with the haunting theme from the second movement of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony as the most beautiful melody in all music. Previn really delivers in this section. Of the three recordings I have, I would have to say that Previn's middle section is my second favorite (after Dutoit, even though he meddles with the score somewhat with some omissions of instruments). It would be my favorite if it were not for the flat, lifeless production. I will comment on the production later on in the review. As for the remainder of the piece, Previn brings to the surface many elements which often go unnoticed in other versions. In particular, Dutoit's version is bereft much of the interesting background instrumentation that is heard loud and clear in Previn's version. Previn takes a somewhat slower tempo than I have usually heard for this movement, perhaps to facilitate greater accuracy. In that capacity he succeeds brilliantly; technically, this is the finest recording of the three I own. Overall, this is a very solid recording of one of my favorite movements in all classical music.

"Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age" - This is yet another shining moment for Previn. The dynamics are divine, the tempo is perfect, and the brass sounds particularly rich and wonderful. Previn voiced this section particularly well in this movement. The strings are smooth, the woodwinds expressive, and the percussion is spot-on. While the Dutoit recording might be just a little better (simply because of the soul-vibrating bass at the end of the movement--unequaled in any other recording), the distance between the two is so small that, on some days, I prefer Previn.

As for the next two movements, my objectivity fails. This is possibly because I have not heard either of them in over seven years. They are both far too abstract for my liking.

And now we come to the production quality. I cannot attest to the quality of other Telarc productions, but this one is absolutely pitiful. The high ranges sound dull and lifeless, the midrange is muddy and unfocused, and there seems to be a peak somewhere around the 130 to 160 Hz range that makes the music sound bloated. Additionally, the dynamics seem compressed somewhat (perhaps it is Telarc, and not Andre Previn, that has truncated the dynamic flow of "Mars"), and the recording level is very low (one must set the volume on the playback device to near maximum to experience an acceptable level). The poor quality actually mars my enjoyment of the suite and my evaluation of Previn's work. This is particularly apparent to me in "Jupiter", possibly because this is my favorite movement in the suite. As I said before, the middle section in Previn's interpretation would be my absolute favorite were it not for this lamentable production. Of the three recordings I own, Levine's is the best sonically. One could really believe he is in the hall listening to a live performance. Dutoit's is acceptable (it is a little weak in the bass and the strings sound a little harsh), considering that its sonic imperfections do not detract considerably from the experience.

Of course, that is my opinion. Your miles may vary.

However, despite the poor production, I would still recommend this recording as a solid reference as to how the suite should be performed. For the prospective buyer it would make an excellent first recording of the work, and it is also a fine supplementary purchase, even though it is fairly expensive. I would also recommend the other two recordings I have periodically mentioned: James Levine/Chicago Symphony Orchestra (on Deutsche Grammophon) and Charles Dutoit/Montreal Symphony Orchestra (on Decca/Penguin Classics). Beyond these are Karajan/Berliner Philharmoniker, Leonard Bernstein/New York Philharmonic, and Sir Adrian Boult's various recordings with different orchestras. I have heard none of these, but they are considered to be fine recordings of the suite.

Incredible music.......2006-07-31

I first heard "The Planets" at a barn concert in Wisconsin's Door County (an orchestra of high schoolers). As soon as I could get to a computer I ordered this opus recording and it is very good. The live performance was better than this recording but aren't they always??

Can't wait to go see it live!.......2006-07-04

I love the Planets, possibly my favorite Classical symphony. Holst was the best at what he did! From the highly rythmic section of mars, to the more lyrical section of Jupiter, to the strange sections of Uranus. It's great! Even better is the Rockford Symphony is doing this in Feb. I can't wait to see it! Go listen to this!

From Mercury to Neptune..........2006-02-03

I'd have to say that this is the finest recording of Gustav Holst's "The Planets" I've ever heard. Previn handles the tempi and the aggression/coolness of every segment very well. The Royal Philharmonic does a good job with the passion and power of Holst's most famous piece. Absolutely a must.

Holst: The Planets/John Williams: Star Wars/Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Average customer rating:

The planets are magnificent, and the cd is excelent
Lovely
If you like John Williams soundtracks, you'll love this!
You gotta love it! Perfect for the Sci-Fi fan.
Out of This World

Holst: The Planets/John Williams: Star Wars/Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Thunder & Lightning
Holst: The Planets / R. Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra
The Planets in Full Score
Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain

ASIN: B0000042G5
Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

The Planets: I - Mars, The Bringer Of War
The Planets: II - Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
The Planets: III - Mercury, The Winged Messenger
The Planets: IV - Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity
The Planets: V - Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age
The Planets: VI - Uranus, The Magician
The Planets: VII - Neptune, The Mystic
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - Suite

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra: Introduction
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of The Backworldsmen
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of The Great Longing
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of Joys And Passions
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Song Of The Grave
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of Science
Also Sprach Zarathustra: The Convalescent
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Dance Song
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Night Wanderer's Song
Star Wars - Suite: I - Main Title
Star Wars - Suite: II - Princess Leia's Theme
Star Wars - Suite: III - The Little people
Star Wars - Suite: Cantina Band
Star Wars - Suite: IV - The Battle
Star Wars - Suite: V - The Throne Room And End Title

Customer Reviews:

The planets are magnificent, and the cd is excelent.......2007-01-09

I love the Planets Suite, and I was looking for a cd of the Planets to buy. When I saw this one with the Star Wars Suite. Close Encounters of the Third Kind, AND Also Sprach Zarathustra at this low of a price, I was hooked

Lovely.......2006-11-04

I've thoroughly enjoyed both CD's. I do wish the Holst and Strauss pieces were a little louder, but I guess that's my radio's problem.

If you like John Williams soundtracks, you'll love this!.......2003-12-19

Okay, so the album isn't all John Williams. However, I think the selections to create this album were superb! You get the best of outer space soundtracks with this double CD set!

I should mention that I enjoy this album merely because of the works used to put it together. Some of the interpretations left a bit to be desired (hence, the reason why I give this only four, instead of five, stars). For example, I felt the horn player in "Mars" (the first movement of "The Planets") was too overbearing (I thought he/she overdid the vibrato, among other things), rather than subtle (as done in the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal's version, ASN# B0000041S7 -- check out my review of that album). Additionally, I wasn't too crazy about "Cantina Band" in "Star Wars" -- it's not that I don't like the piece (I do!); rather, the fade out by the sound engineer was unnatural and inappropriate for an orchestral work. (C'mon, shouldn't a fine group led by the great Zubin Metha be able to perform a decrescendo ending without any electronic help?)

Criticism aside, let me say that I LOVE this album! Even though I might attack the performance quality, I loved how the works were selected and organized. If you're a fan of sci-fi or action/adventure soundtracks, you'll thoroughly enjoy what you hear!

You gotta love it! Perfect for the Sci-Fi fan........2002-11-28

This is a great CD for the Sci-Fi fan. It has all of the music that you could want. It has the classic "Star Wars Suite" from " Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope," but it also includes the "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" suite from Lucas' director buddy, Steven Spielberg.

The compilers got another bull's-eye by including Holst's "The Planets," which is the source for the themes of Star Wars. For example, play "Mars," then listen to the themes associated with the Empire. Or play "Venus" and compare that to "Princess Leia's Theme." And the similarities between "Mercury" and "The Little People" are too obvious to state.

"The Cantina Theme" is strong, except for the bridge. In the original recording there were steel drums that are conspicuously absent.

For some reason, the entire "Also Sprach Zarathustra" was included on the CD. The introduction was made famous by "2001: A Space Odyssey," but the rest of the opus has been forgotten. I think they just had extra space on the CD, so they included the rest of the composition. Whatever reason, we are better for hearing all of the music that was based on Nietzsche's philosophical book of the same name.

The recording is clear and sharp, and I have had no technical problems with the CD skipping. The cover-art has some of those unusual pictures from the Hubble Telescope that gives the entire product that sense of otherness we all crave.

Out of This World.......2002-06-30

This is the version of "Star Wars" you want. It has the raucus, almost bawdy victorious power you remember from the movie.

Likewise are the other pieces. Besides being the themes from "Star Wars", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Close Encounters", there is the classical classic (can I say that?) work, "The Planets" by Holst.

I think the them to 2001 ("Thus Spake Zarathustra") also was the intro the famous Macintosh commerical (1984 Superbowl?).

These are more than pop-culture favorites that happen to be orchestral works. They are sophisticated and poetic, with more than easy melodies sweeping occasionally.

These are the complete suites. You might remember the glorious intro to 2001, but enjoy with this CD the full piece: almost 33 minutes.

The pace and range of the music undulates from serene, almost pastoral quietude to raging, fist in air excitement.

I fully recommend "Holst: The Planets/John Williams: Star Wars/Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra."

Tracks:

RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto #2, Adagio
VERDI Preludio
PAGANINI "Introduzione e tema con variazioni"
BRAHMS Sonata for two pianos, Andante
MOZART Adagio in E Major
BEETHOVEN "Pathetique" Sonata, Adagio
YSAYE Sonate #2, "Malinconia"
BACH Prelude #22, Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
VERDI "Quando le sere al placido" (When the Evening Becomes Peaceful)
BACH Orchestral Suite #2
SIBELIUS The Swan of Tuonela
PROKOFIEV Romeo and Juliet
MASSENET Meditation from "Tha
RACHMANINOFF Prelude

Tracks:

TRADITIONAL Catalonian Folk Song
CHOPIN Piano Concerto #1, Larghetto
PUCCINI "Crisantemi" (Chrysanthemums)
SCHUMANN "Traumerei" (Dreaming)
TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake (excerpt)
K. YAMADA ''Chugoku-Chiho No Komoriuta" Lullaby
DEBUSSY "En Bateau" (By Boat)
BEETHOVEN Symphony #6 "Pastoral", Andante
MENDELSSOHN Songs Without Words
WEBER Introduction, theme and variations
GRANADOS "Goyescas" (Sketches on the works of Goya)
TCHAIKOVSKY Nocturne in F
HOLST The Planets, "Neptune"

Customer Reviews:

Better than most.......2007-02-08

This is a good mixture of elevator music, and some soft relaxing melodies.

Wonderful Music.......2007-01-18

Wonderful music for your listening pleasure. Very relaxing and soothing. Nothing beats classical music.

Average customer rating:

Tomita
A very creative electronic adaptation of Gustav Holst's Planets
A musical and expressive performance
Tomita's Masterpiece
One wonders what Holst himself would have thought...

The Tomita Planets

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Japan | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Debussy: Snowflakes Are Dancing, Prelude, etc / Tomita
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Kosmos
Tomita's Greatest Hits CD
Different Dimensions: Anthology

ASIN: B000003F1P
Release Date: 1991-02-15

Tracks:

The Planets: Mars, The Bringer Of War
The Planets: Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
The Planets: Mercury, The Winged Messenger
The Planets: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity; Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age
The Planets: Uranus, The Magician; Neptune, The Mystic

Customer Reviews:

Tomita.......2007-04-02

One of my favorite "transcriptions" of Planets. Listening to this in college introducted me to classical works that has led to life long love of good music. Tomita had the ability to help you "visualize" music, through sound. Wonder what ever happened to him...he seems to have disappeared after the early 80's?

A very creative electronic adaptation of Gustav Holst's Planets.......2006-06-04

This 1976 release by Japanese electronic composer Isao Tomita presents his all-electronic adaptation of The Planets Op. 32, which was written during 1914-1916 by British composer Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934). Holst is best known for this orchestral suite, although he hated the publicity it generated. As a huge fan of 1970's progressive rock, I have listened to my fair share of prog rock bands interpreting bits and pieces of The Planets, e.g. King Crimson, Morgan etc., so an electronic version of the entire work really piqued my curiosity.

Isao plays what sounds like an RMI electric harpsichord, pipe organ, string synthesizer (I think), in addition to the mini-moog synthesizer, which is an instrument that seems to generate an infinite number of sounds, at least in his hands. The sounds of the moog synthesizer dominate this recording and evoke the vacuum and cold of outer space, but are also quite sensitive as well. The seven pieces range in length from 5'22" to 17'26", are blended together (unlike the original) and cover a range of moods and dynamics - much like the original work. Isao injects his own personality into each piece, so I found the listening experience to be very interesting, and at times pretty funny (he has a great sense of humor).

Mars has been called the most devastating piece of music ever written and I think that Isao more or less pulls this piece off, although there are some slightly silly sounding synthesizer tones that render the piece as somewhat less than devastating. Venus was intended to be a dreamy and airy movement and Isao does an incredible job with spacey synth textures. This is my favorite movement and probably the most successful. Mercury - Isao certainly had a lot of fun with this, and the synth sounds are pretty bouncy and vibrant, without being goofy. Jupiter represents the prime of life. Isao injects a little humor into Jupiter by using a synth tone that sounds like a human voice humming the central melody. Saturn was Holst's personal favorite and was intended to show that old age is not always peaceful and happy. I think that Isao conveys this pretty darn well with some creepy and occasionally agitated synth textures. Uranus is a quirky scherzo that displays very odd sounding synth tones and percussion before the tranquility of the closing movement Neptune, which features an electronic version of the female choir included in the original work.

While some movements work better than others, I think that overall, this is a great adaptation of a very important work. Recommended to electronica fans along with other albums by Isao Tomita including Snowflakes are Dancing (1974), which presents his electronic interpretation of Claude Debussy.

A musical and expressive performance.......2006-04-06

Tomita used synthesizers to reinterpret this orchestral masterpiece in a very original manner. It is this recording which convinced me that synthesizers are truly capable of sensitive musical expression. It still amazes me what he accomplished with the tools he had available to him at the time. Many other reviewers below seem to have issue with the "weird electronic sounds" Tomita used in this interpretation. Of course they will sound weird to those expecting some kind of imitation of an orchestra. But I think to appreciate it, one has to be open to another sort of imagery entirely. It's simply a case of an artist interpreting another artist's work, resulting in an extremely imaginative rendition.

Tomita's version gives me something the orchestra does not, and it is kind of difficult to explain. It brings a different set of images to me when I hear it, much more in tune with what I think of as "space." I for one think Venus is absolutely beautiful, haunting, and sad.

If you want a comfortable, familiar performance (true to the notes on the page, so to speak), buy an orchestral recording. If you want (and are open to) an original interpretation, which focuses on the outer space aspect of the idea of "planets" rather than their astrological meanings, then you will enjoy this CD.

Tomita's Masterpiece.......2004-08-02

I first heard this recording in the 1980's and I came back to it in the late 90's. It seems even more incredible to me now than it did then!!!

When you listen to this work from start to finish, you will be taking a fantastic journey. The sound is incredible and I still marvel at how Tomita put this together. I have never heard anything like it and I don't think I ever will either. This is a one of a kind gem. I just wish Tomita had done more stuff along this theme.

This CD will blow your mind! It's incredible.

One wonders what Holst himself would have thought..........2004-04-21

It has to be said of Tomita's electronic interpretations of Western classical music that, while many of them sound just beautiful, some do ruin the original music with freaky electronic sound effects. In this respect both of these two types of Tomita's work are found in this album. Venus and Mercury are beautifully rendered, but the other planets just don't come across with the same emotional content Holst intended. Mars no longer feels terrifying, for example. Tomita just fails to add to the spirit of the original. Still, the album is worth it for his interpretations of Mercury and Venus.

Holst: The Planets / R. Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Average customer rating:

This Recording Gets "The Planets" Close to Right
Quite simply: Outstanding!
The Best Of The Best
Underrated Strauss and one of the best Planets ever.
One of the Finest Recordings Ever...

Holst: The Planets / R. Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

EMI Great Recordings of Century - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4/Klemperer
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Fantasia on
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD]
Ancerl Gold Edition 5: Petrushka/Rite of Spring
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3/Debussy: La Mer/Ibert: Escales

ASIN: B000056TKD
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

Thus Spake Zarathustra: Introduction - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of The Backworldsmen - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of The Great Longing - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of Joys And Passions - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: The Song Of The Grave - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Of Science And Learning - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: The Convalescent - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: The Dance-Song - Joseph Silverstein
Thus Spake Zarathustra: Song Of The Night Wanderer - Joseph Silverstein
The Planets Op. 32: Mars, The Bringer Of War - Allegro - Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Planets Op. 32: Venus, The Bringer Of Peace - Adagio - Andante - Animato - Tempo I - Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Planets Op. 32: Mercury, The Winged Messenger - Vivace - Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Planets Op. 32: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity - Allegro giocoso - Andante maestoso - Tempo I - Maestoso - Lento maestoso - Presto - Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Planets Op. 32: Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age - Adagio - Andante - Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Planets Op. 32: Uranus, The Magician - Allegro - Lento - Allegro - Largo - Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Planets Op. 32: Neptune, The Mystic - Andante - Allegretto - Boston Symphony Orchestra

Amazon.com

Steinberg's tenure at the helm of the Boston Symphony was cut short by illness, but his relatively slim catalogue of recordings with the orchestra produced several important examples of his art, boasting truly fine interpretations and spectacular playing. These orchestral showpieces by Strauss and Holst were long overdue for reissue. Steinberg's fast tempos make the Strauss work zip by; it's as if he takes it in one big gulp, creating as exciting a performance as you're likely to hear. The Holst also gets the "let's keep it moving" treatment to good effect, though a more measured pace for the opening movement, "Mars," would bring a greater sense of menace. As on many DGs recorded around 1970-1971, the engineering is bright and bass-shy, but it's clear and detailed, too. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

This Recording Gets "The Planets" Close to Right.......2006-06-23

Steinberg's readily available recording is the one to buy now. The only other modern Planets recording to get it close to right is that led by Roy Goodman with the New Queen's Hall Orchestra (Carlton Classics 30366 00432), which uses orchestral instruments of the same type in use in the 1920s, and where the conductor deliberately sets out to mirror Holst's own 1920s recordings. Sadly, this Carlton CD is evidently no longer available; maybe it will be back again someday. Those who think Steinberg's Mars is too fast should know that both of the recordings Holst conducted himself (1923, 1926) are at a nearly matching fast tempo (Holst is slightly faster). In addition, Holst marked a reduced score of Mars for two pianos in his own hand with the metronome indication "quarter note = 176," which is close to the tempo he, Goodman, and Steinberg use. "Fast" is clearly the tempo Holst wanted; it is right. Far too many people have become accustomed to hearing it wrong thanks to the ostensibly "official" versions of Boult and his followers. Boult takes nearly eight excruciating minutes to slog through his last (1979) Mars recording. The same argument holds for another frequently abused movement, Saturn, where some conductors approach an agonizing ten minutes, instead of the correct seven minutes or so, thus completely missing the "Funeral March" character of the movement (Steinberg is a touch slow here at 7:45, but still well within reason). All conductors should be required by law to listen to Holst's 1926 recording, once available on CD (Legacy 3-7018-2 H1), before being allowed to conduct The Planets. The abused critical catchword "definitive" actually applies to Holst's work here, in one of the greatest recordings ever made. Holst's own Jupiter is electrifying, the "big tune" a part of the jovial celebration, not the sentimental patriotic hymn it is so often made out to be. To sum up, Steinberg is the best available right now: very slightly slow here and there, but brilliantly played by a great orchestra, and as close to right as any you can buy at this moment. If you love the piece and want more, get Holst's and Goodman's recordings if you can somehow find them, but if you can't, or only want one, be happy to have Steinberg.

Quite simply: Outstanding!.......2005-04-06

A thrilling Zarathustra. A bouyant Planets. Others here have said it better than I. These are indeed "legendary performances". Beautifully remastered to CD, the analog recording is clean and clear and has wonderful presence. If you are reading these reviews to ascertain whether or not you should make this disc your next purchase, let me assure you, whether you are new to these works or whether you are well acquainted with them -- this is the one to buy.

I must mention the New England Conservatory Chorus closes out The Planets beautifully. Thanks to DGG/UMG for this fabulous disc!

The Best Of The Best.......2005-01-26

These 2 recordings are simply the best ones available, and it's due to the combination of a masterful conductor and a world-class orchestra in a superb hall with killer organ, and inspired interpretations. If only RCA or Mercury could have recorded these instead of DGG. Even with thin bass, overly close micing at times, and curiously distant micing at others, the performances survive as the best ever.
Much of the magic here is summed up in one word: tempos! Many have noted Steinberg's fast tempos in the Holst, often sighting Mars as particularly too fast. Well, they are plan wrong. The composer himself recorded this suite electrically in 1926. You think Steinberg's 46 minutes is fast? Holst gets through it in under 41! Now some have said the engineers rushed him so as to get the music to fit on the old 78 discs. That is totally false. Others have said he wasn't a good conductor. OK, ensemble sloppiness bears that out, but doesn't hold water when it comes to basic tempi. Holst marked Mars as "Allegro" which means, quite simply, "fast." At a timing of 6:18, Holst conducted it fast. He wanted it fast! Steinberg comes in at 6:34. In every other movement but Uranus, Steinberg is 0:30 to 0:70 slower than Holst, but still closely approximates the interpretations, and those interpretations are superb. Only in Uranus is Steinberg faster than Holst, but at 5:22, it's the tempo you're used to hearing, but with precision that's rarely matched, and an organ gliss that will blow you across the room!
Again, on the Strauss, the forward motion is always there, making Zarathustra as wonderfully unified as it can possibly be.
Bernstein and the 1962 Karajan [Vienna Phil] in the Planets have superior moments [especially Karajan's use of metal hammers on the chimes in Saturn as specified by Holst] and Reiner and Karajan also turn in superb Zarathustras, but here are both on one CD about as close to perfection as one can get and, I suspect, closest to the composer's intentions.

Underrated Strauss and one of the best Planets ever........2004-05-01

Among recommended recordings of Also Sprach Zarathrustra by Richard Strauss, this is one seldom mentioned. Before this recording, I listened to Tennstedt, Reiner (1964) and Karajan and only this recording blows me away. Listening it in my car, living room stereo, or even through my Discman, this recording is exciting. There is lush lyricism, massive voices and fiery passion, despite the speed of this recording that could turn off seasoned Straussians. The famous introduction has the best organ chord at the end, I think largely due to the accoustics of Boston Symphony Hall, one of the best in the world. The strings surprisingly has Viennese nuances and the highlight is Joseph Silverstein's solo performance, which is a delight to listen to and my favorite *concertmaster* violinist. The recording has sardonical wit and humor that all Zarathrustra recordings I hear lacked.

The Planets, no need to for me to add, is a reference performance, although "Jupiter" for me is too dry and lacked the excitement of Boult and Rattle has. Sadly there are too few of Steinberg's recordings with Boston Symphony and they're finished when Ozawa took over. Can James Levine bring them back to the former glory of kouzzevetsky, Munch or Steinberg?

One of the Finest Recordings Ever..........2004-04-01

The heyday of the Boston Symphony is recorded here in all of it's glory. A feverishly intense Also Sprach is simply electrifying. The tonal quality of this recording is excellent with great balances between sections. Of all of the American recordings ever made of Also Spach this is certainly the one to own...wind solos are beautifully phrased and paced..the orchestra Trumpets are splendid and Steinberg has a geniune idea of when blend is important and when musical ideas have to dominate.

Compared to the leisurely interpretation of Ormandy(boring!) you cannot only come up with superlatives for this disc!

The HOLST is done very well, without any agogic rubato or mannerisms, Steinberg certainly comes out a giant of a Conductor. His was a short tenure iin Boston unfortunately...It was not too be for too long , Steinberg passed away a few years after these landmark recordings.

Holst: The Planets, Op.32
Average customer rating:

SOUNDS FINE TO ME

Goosebumps!

The way Holst was meant to be performed

...Celestial

Outstanding Early CD Recording

Holst: The Planets, Op.32

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Dutoit, Laurence | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete Ballet, 1910) / Alexander Scriabin: Prometheus - The Poem of Fire - Valery Gergiev / Kirov Orchestra, St. Petersburg / Alexander Toradze

Manuel de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain / Isaac Albeniz: Rapsodia Espanola / Joaquin Turina: Rapsodia Sinfonica - Alicia de Larrocha / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos

Panorama: George Gershwin

Ravel: Bolero; Debussy, Mussorgsky / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition No 1-10; Night on the Bare Mountain; Khovanshchina - Prelude / Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Festival Overture

ASIN: B0000041S7
Release Date: 1987-01-30

Tracks:

Mars, the Bringer of War
Venus, the Bringer of Peace
Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
Uranus, The Magician
Neptune, the Mystic

Amazon.com

Charles Dutoit often sounds better on disc than he does live. The reason for this is simple: he loves to play to the audience, and the result is all kinds of wild gesticulating that the orchestra knows perfectly well to ignore. Sometimes they ignore him completely, to the peril of the performance at hand. In the studio, however, there is no audience and the conductor is free to focus on the music. Dutoit has a real affection for The Planets and his performance is vital, insightful, and recorded in resplendent digital sound. The Montreal Symphony has a particularly powerful trombone section, which adds just that extra drop of energy to "Mars,"Jupiter," and "Saturn." A fine disc. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

SOUNDS FINE TO ME.......2004-12-05

Most reviews I have read of this disc seem pretty pleased with both performance and recording. On the other hand I am just slightly influenced by some thoughtful comment I have seen that expresses a few reservations regarding the balance -- to me reviews are 'useful' if they show independent judgment, not if they support my preconceptions which are quite strong enough not to need reinforcing. What this account definitely is is vivid. The orchestral detail is very clear, but if I ask myself whether this is quite how The Planets sounds in the concert hall, then I'm not so sure. I like it this way, but this is not a piece where I am hard to please the way I am about performances of the Viennese classics or Ravel or Sibelius or Elgar or Walton. In general this is a very effective reading of The Planets. The tempi sound about right to me, no doubt because they are much what I am used to, and the playing and orchestral discipline are superb. This is the only disc of The Planets that I own or plan to own because it's not a work I'm fussy about, but connoisseurs may want to consider whether the effectiveness has been slightly overmanipulated by the recording technicians.

Goosebumps!.......2004-11-01

I get goosebumps just THINKING about this CD! I bought it almost 15 years ago, only interested in "Mars - The Bringer of War." At the time it was the only piece I was familiar with. At the time, I had also recently rediscovered the album, "Emerson, Lake and Powell" who did a rock version of "Mars...".

As I am so fond of saying in my reviews, the whole CD blew me away. There were such a wide range of moods included in these pieces from the power of "Mars..." to the sadness of "Saturn..." to the "Uranus..." which makes me feel I'm walking through a foggy wood, these songs still make me smile today.

The way Holst was meant to be performed.......2003-12-19

This is probably my alltime favorite orchestral work, and my most overplayed CD. The Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal does a superb job of interpreting Holst's most famous work.

Mars, for example, with its wide dynamic range, beginning with a very low pianissimo and hitting its climax later (as this movement should), is captured with all the tension and intensity worthy of "The Bringer of War." I played this CD at work one time, and one of my passing co-workers quipped, "boy, this sounds like Star Wars." I don't think he was aware of how appropriate of a description it was!

I also need to mention the segue between Tracks 6 and 7, the transition between Uranus and Neptune. The change is barely perceptible. Uranus ends very quietly, and Neptune begins equally so -- almost to the point where I can't tell one from the other. I have to respect an ensemble that can make this transition in this manner.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable album. If you've never heard this work before, I'd tell you to begin here.

...Celestial.......2003-04-14

Considering that this recording of Holst's most popular works is among a pioneer in digital recordings, it still outshines rival versions. Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra have a natural feeling for mood, rhythm and colour that transpire into the "Planets Suite" that have stood up through the years. The inspiration for "Planets Suite" started with just the simple facination Holst had with astrology that would transcend into music that never existed in english music before and is undoubtedly the most famous of large scale compositions and deservely so because it's a masterpiece in imagination.

Earth being excluded and Pluto yet not discovered, the seven planets would bare original character traits associated with the planets. Mars, the bringer of war starts off thunderously. Venus, the bringer of peace a nostalgic glance with his infatuation with Wagner. Mercury, the winged messenger submerged completely in impressionism, everything is dabs and dashes of sounds. Jupiter, the bringer of jollity, Holst's love of english folksong and dance would be adapted for a patriotic hymn. Saturn, the bringer of old age a procession that winds unrelentlessly. Uranus, the magician a nightmarish version of Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Neptune, the mystic is pure impressionism, a blank picture, all atmosphere...one of the most awe inspiring intimations of the infinite. It ends hauntingly with the receding voices of the Montreal's women chorus.

Outstanding Early CD Recording.......1999-03-09

This recording was made in the early days of CD's and consumer digital electronics. At that time it was the finest recording of Holst's "The Planets" available. Although technology has changed and orchestras are more atuned to the demands of the technology, this recording is still masterful. Relative to today's recordings it gets 4 stars, but the performance rates 5 stars.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

Recommended Music:

Big Towne, 2061 [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Grieg: Die drei Violinsonaten

Graupner: Music for Chalumeau

Music: Des Knaben Wunderhorn

Affection [Extra tracks] [Limited Edition] [Import]

Frontline & Ganga Records Present: Old Skool Class

electronicspartner.com Music: 42nd Street (1980 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Granados Complete Piano Music, Vol.2

Goo [Import]

Handel: Recorder Sonatas - Pamela Thorby - Richard Egarr (SACD)

Groovehound

Flights of Fancy

El Baile Del Perrito

Compact Command Performances

Best of Tim Buckley