THE PLANETS
Premiered: September 29, 1918 at The Queen's Hall
Premiered for the Public: November 15, 1920 in London
The Composer:
Name: Gustav Holst
Dates: September 21, 1874 - May 25, 1934
Country: England
Famous Works: The Planets
Music Time Period: Romantic/Modern
Childhood:
Dates: September 21, 1874 - May 25, 1934
Country: England
Famous Works: The Planets
Music Time Period: Romantic/Modern
Childhood:
The Work:
The planets is a seven movement orchestral suite composed by Gustav Holst.
It was composed between 1914 and 1916.
Each movement of the suite was named after a planet in the solar system and its corresponding astrological character. The only planet not covered is Earth.
It is the most famous of all of Holst compositions & this bothered Holst because he did not think this work to be his best.
Pluto was discovered in 1930, four years before Holst's death, and was hailed by astronomers as the 9th planet. However Holst expressed no interest in writing a movement for this new planet. Since then Pluto has been proved to not be the 9th planet, it was ruled in 2006 that it is only a dwarf planet.
It was composed between 1914 and 1916.
Each movement of the suite was named after a planet in the solar system and its corresponding astrological character. The only planet not covered is Earth.
It is the most famous of all of Holst compositions & this bothered Holst because he did not think this work to be his best.
Pluto was discovered in 1930, four years before Holst's death, and was hailed by astronomers as the 9th planet. However Holst expressed no interest in writing a movement for this new planet. Since then Pluto has been proved to not be the 9th planet, it was ruled in 2006 that it is only a dwarf planet.
The Movements
I VOW TO THEE MY COUNTRY |
Jupiter, the Bringer of JollityThe theme of Jupiter was adapted into a hymn tune in 1921. The poetry used was written between 1908-1918 by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice and was a response to the lives lost in World War I. It was first performed in 1925 and quickly became a patriotic anthem/song, though that was not the original intention.
Lyrics (text for a song) I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love; The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice. I heard my country calling, away across the sea, Across the waste of waters she calls and calls to me. Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head, And round her feet are lying the dying and the dead. I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns, I haste to thee my mother, a son among they sons. And there's another country, I've heard of long ago, Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know; We may not count her armies, we may not see her King; Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering; And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace. |
Neptune, the MysticNeptune was one of the first pieces for orchestra to have an ending that fades out. Holst wrote that the women's chorus in this movement is to be placed in an adjoining room to the concert hall and the door is to be left open until the last bar of music when it is to be closed. So that the sound is to be almost lost in the distance. While this is not shocking today at the premiere it was bewitching to the audiences and it was amazing the difference between the faint sound and silence.
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