Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Planets Suite, Op. 32 was composed by Gustav Holst between 1914 and 1916. Each movement of the suite is named after a planet of the Solar System and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst. With the exception of Earth, all the astrological planets known during the work’s composition are represented.
Instrumentation:
The work is scored for a large orchestra consisting of four flutes (third doubling first piccolo and fourth doubling second piccolo and “bass flute in G”, actually an alto flute),three oboes (third doubling bass oboe), one English horn, three clarinets in B-flat and A, one bass clarinet in B-flat, three bassoons, one contrabassoon; six horns in F, four trumpets in C, three trombones, one tenor tuba in B-flat (actually a euphonium), one bass tuba; a percussion section with six timpani (requiring two players), bass drum, snare drum, cymbals, triangle, tam-tam, tambourine, glockenspiel, xylophone, tubular bells; celesta, pipe organ; 2 harps and strings. In “Neptune”, two three-part women’s choruses (S S A) located in an adjoining room which is to be screened from the audience are added.
Movements:
0:00 I.Mars, the Bringer of War
7:42 II.Venus, the Bringer of Peace
16:03 III.Mercury, the Winged Messenger
20:05 IV.Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
28:20 V.Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
37:17 VI.Uranus, the Magician
43:12 VII.Neptune, the Mystic