Search - Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst, Leonard Bernstein :: Bernstein Century: Holst: Planets; Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance

Standard reading of Holst's masterpiece

12/19/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Bernstein's performance of "The Planets" is fairly standard, and while there are many remarkable moments (Saturn and Uranus stand out above the rest), his choice of tempos at some points is bizarre (Mars is way too fast, and lacks any real vitality or menace. If you like Mars at this faster tempo, Ormandy's recording with Philadelphia is much more menacing). If you are looking for a good recording of "The Planets," I would recommend Dutoit's performance with Montreal or the London Philharmonic conducted by Adrian Boult (the man who conducted the work's premiere) before this one."

Captures the Mood of Holst's Magnum Opus with Graceful and M

Sarah K. Guvenen | Sierra Vista, AZ United States | 06/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No matter how many recordings of Gustav Holst's "The Planets" I buy or listen to, it is this recording I find myself coming back to time and time again. Every single one of the movements is done majestically and perfectly:



1) MARS (6:35) -- Played fast and relentlessly, this is one of the most intense and menacing pieces of music I've ever heard. From the slow buildup to it's awesome climax, it's executed flawlessly.



2) VENUS (9:32) -- Serene and peaceful, it is played at a lovely slow tempo with supporting strings (including cellos) and a sublime violin solo.



3) MERCURY (3:52) -- Light and fluttery as the winged Roman god himself, it is minimal and short, but has a strong bridge of violins to tie the piece together.



4) (My personal favorite) JUPITER (8:19) -- There is no way I can possibly describe how awesomely epic and stirring this track is. With jovian marches as its bookends, the central theme of this movement is the heart of the entire suite. It is done at a beautifully slow tempo, and is truly moving. The theme which preceded it overtakes it again and leads the piece to its grand conclusion.



5) SATURN (8:50) -- "The Bringer of Old Age", Saturn, the ringed planet, starts with two alternating strings, building to a powerfully strong and ominous version of the two chords. But once again the slow clockwork of time takes over and the piece dies out quietly.



6) URANUS (5:24) -- Played at a faster-than-traditional tempo, this track embodies chaos and mayhem. This piece uses unusual instruments such as xylophones, and sounds wonderfully unique.



7) NEPTUNE (8:30) -- Dark and mysterious as is the blue gas planet at the edge of the solar system, its ominous lower chords are lifted by a wordless chorus halfway through and ends with the voices getting fainter and fainter until you cannot distinguish the sound you're hearing from your own imagination.



This is a perfect recording of a timeless masterpiece.



***** Highly Recommended."

An intense tour of our solar neighborhood

T. Mayhew | 05/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my absolute favorite PLANETS recordings. The best movement would have to be Mercury, and following that would be Uranus. Of course, the other movements are also the best of all other recordings I've heard. You can't go wrong with this CD!"