Gustav Holst (1874-1934) - English Composer

The concept of the work is astrological rather than astronomical (which is why Earth is not included). The idea was suggested to Holst by Clifford Bax, who introduced him to astrology when the two were amongst a small group of English artists holidaying in Majorca in the spring of 1913; Holst became quite a devotee of the subject, and liked to cast friends' horoscopes for fun. Each movement is intended to convey ideas and emotions associated with the influence of the planets on the psyche, not the Roman deities. Holst also used Alan Leo's book "What is a Horoscope?" as a springboard for his own ideas, as well as for the subtitles for the movements.

The Queen's Hall, where The Planets premiered in 1918

The Planets as a work in progress was originally scored for a piano duet, except for "Neptune", which was scored for a single organ, as Holst believed that the sound of the piano was too harsh for a world as mysterious and distant as Neptune. Holst then scored the suite for a large orchestra, and it was in this incarnation that it became enormously popular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M&feature=related

Festival Internacional del Palomar

Chihuahua, Chih., México

http://www.icm.gob.mx/festival/

Octubre 5 - 2009

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