HOLST: THE PLANETS

Performer: Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
Composer: Gustav Holst
Number of records: 1
Barcode: 0753088652967
Label: Analogue Productions
Format: LP
Genre: Orchestral Classical
Year: 2017

The Earth was not created in a single day. This principle can also be applied to Gustav Holst’s planetary symphony, which required the English composer three years of work to complete. For The Planets, Holst employed a large orchestra capable of providing an extraordinarily rich timbral palette to translate into musical terms the character of each planet (known at the time) in the Solar System.

In particular, Mars, the Bringer of War is filled with an overwhelming sense of brutality, while Venus evokes images of peace and serene acceptance of life. Mercury, the Winged Messenger shoots arrows in every direction with its silver bow, while the all-powerful ruler Jupiter conveys joy and confidence. Saturn advances with solemn steps, while Uranus—with its sudden and continuous changes of tempo—reveals a character that is both enigmatic and extroverted. And since Pluto had not yet been discovered at the time of composition, the most distant planet in space and time is Neptune, the great unknown, evoked through an apparently endless ostinato in the female chorus.

Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra present this astronomical journey with absolute precision and remarkable expressiveness, leaving no room for inappropriate astrological digressions. As always, the excellent sound quality ensured by Decca’s team of sound engineers allows this musical contemplation of the galaxy to be experienced with astonishing realism.

The recording was made in April 1971 (tracks 1–7) and December 1977 (tracks 8–13) at Royce Hall in Los Angeles, produced by John Mordler (tracks 1–7) and Ray Minshull (tracks 8–13), with balance engineers James Lock and Colin Moorfoot (tracks 1–7) and Simon Eadon and James Lock (tracks 8–13).

Tracklist:

Gustav Holst (1874–1934)
The Planets