Composed between 1914 and 1917, this orchestral piece contains 7 movements – one for each planet of the Solar System, except Earth. As you watch the video (performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra), try to guess which planet Holst is representing.

 

Don’t read on until you’ve watched the video, spoilers ahead !

 

The first movement is for Mars, the Bringer of War. Although in many mythologies, Mars is associated with war, probably due to its blood-red colour, Holst actually composed this part of the piece before World War I.

The second movement is Venus, the Bringer of Peace. Imogen Holst, Gustav Holst’s only daughter and also a music composer, interpreted it as “Venus has to try and bring the right answer to Mars”.

For the last terrestrial planet of our Solar System, Mercury, the Winged Messenger, we have the shortest movement in the piece – just like Mercury is the smallest planet. You’ll have noticed that the order of the terrestrial planets from the Sun is turned upside down; Holst did this because the Mars part is much more dramatic!

Moving on to the gas planets, we then hear Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity. Part of this movement is very well-known as “The Hymn of Jupiter”, as one of Holst’s most famous melodies.

Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age was Holst’s personal favourite. Just like the planet’s wonderful rings, the end of the movement fades away into space …

If you’re a Disney fan, you’ll have watched “Fantasia“, where Paul Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is played. It’s very likely that Uranus, the Magician was inspired by this piece.

Last but not least, we listen to Neptune, the Mystic, a very impressive movement – a female chorus, off-stage, adds their voices to a very dissonant music with no clear melody.