Traditional Tuesday - The Planets by Gustav Holst
I really pushed myself for this first Tuesday entry with this 50 minutes piece. I listened to almost all if in one sitting and it way exceeded my expectations. At this point Jupiter (about 7'30") is my favorite as it creates emotion through both excitement and sensitivity. I wrote down my immediate thoughts as I listened to each movement and have included them below. I will also embed a YouTube version I found that I chose because it includes all the movements. There are better versions but I liked that this was a one stop shop. If you want to dig further on your own, look up why Earth and Pluto are not included.
[Looking ahead: What's New Wednesday--- Ed Sheeran]
From Wikipedia:
Mars, the Bringer of War
Venus, the Bringer of Peace
Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
Uranus, the Magician
Neptune, the Mystic
My thoughts as I listened:
Mars-- includes a rhythmic fan fare sort of like the beginning of "Shout" it also has a lyrical section "we're almost there, we're almost there"
Venus-- serene very Debussy-ish, horns were the only brass I think, love the celeste
Mercury -- shorter, bouncy short themes passed from section to section sometimes passing it off mid thought, 3 flutes and two piccolos, LOVE THAT! Celeste returns, lovely
Jupiter-- exciting and thoughtful with great tambourine. I especially loved when it when into 3 with a heavy downbeat this section was followed by a nautical like folk "song" section (almost brought me to tears)
Saturn--starts with flute and the other sections playing 2 pitch themes (often repeatedly) finally broken by harp with 3 pitch theme then long sounds in high winds sort of like rain or waterfall sounds
Uranus--the tambourine is back along with march-like themes with a quiet section near the end
Neptune--very mystical, quiet, flowing and surprisingly a chorus of women adding long sustained aw's towards the end
This is a top 5 (ever) piece for me with the likes of Rite of Spring, Rhapsody in Blue, and Beethoven's Ninth.
ReplyDeleteI think in descending favorites I would go (at the moment): Venus, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, Mercury. Although the first four seem to switch around for me. It seems like this one inspired many of the great film scores of all time: Star Wars, Indiana Jones.
The string crescendo at the beginning of Saturn gets me everytime; it seems to go on forever. I also love the polymeter feel in Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus. Venus is one of the most beautiful movements of any piece. The funny thing about Neptune is that when this premiered, the choir was hidden behind a curtain, I wonder what the audience thought.
Forgot to mention that this is my favorite complete recording on the YousTubes. Good choice.
DeleteAlways, thanks for your comments Tyler! I re-listened to the beginning of Saturn and I can hear what you mean. I must give Tyler credit as it is b/c of you that I chose this as my first 'Traditional' piece. You often talk about it with such admiration and I had never really listened to it before.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you approve of my YouTube choice, big compliment indeed.