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Holst: The Planets, Op. 32 - Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36

7/5/2019, 22 Tracks, 1:22:42

Two hugely popular English classics are performed by Andrew Litton and the Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester. Elgar's Enigma Variations of 1899 is his beautiful and varied set of portraits of his closest friends, including the popular 'Nimrod' variation, while Holst’s evergreen suite The Planets is a wonderfully inventive set of character sketches, beloved from Mars to Jupiter.

Featuring

  • Andrew Litton
  • Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
  • Bergen Filharmoniske Kor
  • Edvard Grieg Kor
  • Edward Elgar
  • Gustav Holst

Did you know?

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Composition History

Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, composed between October 1898 and February 1899, was an immediate success at its London premiere on June 19, 1899, and helped establish his international reputation.

Source: Booklet

Performer Biography

Andrew Litton, the conductor on this album, served as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra's music director for 12 years (2003-2015) and was awarded the Royal Order of Merit by King Harald V of Norway for his work.

Source: Booklet

Compositional Technique

The Planets is scored for a large orchestra, including extensive percussion, two harps, celesta, organ, two sets of timpani, and rarer instruments like bass flute, bass oboe, and tenor tuba.

Source: Booklet

Historical Context

Elgar's international success with the Enigma Variations was notable as no British composer had achieved such international recognition since Henry Purcell's time, over two hundred years prior.

Source: Booklet

Composer's Artistic Vision

Holst intended The Planets to be musical evocations of human character as influenced by the planets, rather than being confused with classical mythology figures or astronomy.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

Gustav Holst's large-scale suite The Planets was conceived after his writer-friend Clifford Bax introduced him to astrology in 1913, with Holst composing it between 1914 and 1916.

Source: Booklet

Performer Biography

The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1765, celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2015 and had a close relationship with Edvard Grieg, who was its artistic director from 1880-82.

Source: Booklet

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