Holst began composing The Planets in 1914, completing 'Mars', 'Venus', and 'Jupiter' that year, and the rest of the suite by 1916.
Compositional Technique
The 'Jupiter' movement from The Planets contains a glorious theme that was later adapted by Vaughan Williams for public singing and became the hymn 'Thaxted' in Songs of Praise.
Interpretation
For the ending of 'Neptune, the Mystic', Holst instructed the female chorus to slowly leave the hall during their closing bars to create a gradual diminuendo.
Performer Biography
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), formed in 1946, is known as 'Britain's national orchestra' due to its extensive concert schedule and fourteen residencies across the UK.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at Watford Colosseum on April 26th and 27th, 2004, with Martin Compton as producer and Tony Faulkner as engineer.
Composer Biography
Gustav Holst, the composer of The Planets, became so engrossed in astrology after a trip to Spain that he could cast horoscopes for his friends.
Compositional Technique
In 'Uranus, the Magician', Holst may have included a musical signature using the notes G, E-flat (Es in German), A, and B (H in German) to spell out G-S-A-H, representing his name.
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