Holst's The Planets

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:55 pm

Could someone recommend me a good, crisp recording?

DavidRoss · Post by **DavidRoss** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:10 pm

1--Gardiner/Philharmonia
2--Levine/CSO
3--Dutoit/Montréal

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:26 pm

I went through a period (admittedly, only about a two-year period) when I believed that The Planets was fodder for classical newbies alone and I looked down my juvenile nose on the work; on a whim last year I plugged in my Dutoit recording and realized that my would-be snootiness was quite misplaced. Holst was certainly imaginative, and it's a shame the Mars and Jupiter movements have become as popular as they have, because they overshadow the greatness of the whole cycle.

I've both the Levine and the Dutoit, but I feel that Dutoit gives the work a more even reading. Hm, perhaps I've established a soundtrack for this evening...

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:59 pm

Zubin Mehta
Charles Dutoit
Walter Susskind
Vernon Handley
Mark Elder

absinthe · Post by **absinthe** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:23 pm

Can't lay my hands on the disc right now but it's EMI / Previn / LSO / Ambrosian Singers.

It's also one of EMI's better orchestral recordings

moldyoldie · Post by **moldyoldie** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:28 pm

Steinberg/BSO/DG (Vivid, in-your-face-up-close, and taken at Holst's tempos; plus it's paired with Strauss' Zarathustra!)
Dutoit/OSM/Decca (Organ overload! Home foundation and woofer blowout warning!)
Boult/LPO/EMI ('70s, slow and ominous Mars)

All others I've heard are merely fair to middlin'.

anasazi · Post by **anasazi** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:30 pm

I highly recommend the Previn/LSO recording on EMI. Is that still in-print? Hope so. You can avoid the Previn/RPO on Telarc as far as I'm concerned.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:04 pm

Sylph wrote:Could someone recommend me a good, crisp recording?

Levine/CSO - wonderful

I've always liked Mehta/LAPO for its "sound spectacular" attributes...

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:39 pm

I don't know why one would need any other than the Boult. It's a timeless classic.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:14 am

The Planets has fared very well in recordings, starting with Holst's own recording from 1926--one of the fastest on record. I find this recording compelling in spite of its early vintage.

Marriner's recording with the Concertgebouw remains one of my favorite modern recordings, superbly played and recorded.

Surprisingly, the Chicago Symphony has made only one recording of this work, a piece I expect would be right in their wheelhouse. Levine's recording is also excellent, similar overall to Marriner. It's a loss we don't have a Reiner recording of this work.

I also have recordings with Bernstein, Previn (2), Dutoit, Andrew Davis (Toronto Symphony), Mehta, Steinberg, Sargent, Boult (LPO, 1979), Karajan (VPO) and Bernard Herrmann. Any of these would be recommendable with the exception of Herrmann, which is the slowest on record at 60+ minutes and sounded it the last time I played it.

John

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:15 am

Oh, thank you!

I'm just going to go through all these and pick a few!

Post by **Lance** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:03 pm

This work is a fav of mine. I have many recordings. I'm not a von Karajan fan in the sense of a Furtwängler, but I didn't rest until I finally got von Karajan's DGG recording with the Berlin Philharmonic [DGG 439.011]. I also like the one he did with the Vienna Philharmonic [Decca 478.0155] but you have to get the nine-CD set to get it, along with all his other VPO recordings. Others recordings I have enjoyed are Stokowski's [EMI 65423 or Cala 0526], Boult [4 renditions: DGG/Westminster 471.240; EMI 63097, recorded 1945; Beulah 2PD12 (recorded 1937); EMI 66934 (1966 recording)]; Steinberg [DGG 439.446 - special "book/CD" edition)]; Mehta [Decca 467.418].

I'm trying to remember if Holst's The Planets was further amplified by yet another planet, which he didn't know about when he wrote the work. I think I have a recording of that as well but not in my memory bank at the moment.

absinthe · Post by **absinthe** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:23 pm

I haven't heard Mehta's recording of The Planets and might try to get it, receiving as it has a couple of commendations here. Parenthetically (not to divert the thread) I absolutely love his recording of Verklaerte Nacht, second only to the earlier Stokowsky; and his Rite of Spring that has a level of passion unmatched by most conductors. I heard this on a Decca LP and had to order the CD from Japan.

About the other planet, I think it was Colin Matthews who added Pluto. I've often wondered why Holst did not include the Sun and Moon which, while not planets in the physical sense, are mystical planets, which was his concern, so I understood.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:17 pm

Lance wrote:I'm trying to remember if Holst's The Planets was further amplified by yet another planet, which he didn't know about when he wrote the work. I think I have a recording of that as well but not in my memory bank at the moment.

Yes, they added Pluto, Mark Elder's reading with the Halle Orchestra on Hyperion has it, and Andre Previn's EMI version is no longer in the catalog but is available from Arkiv Music...Zubin Mehta's Decca Recording was also available as a XRCD and Karajan's Decca recording is available as part of the Originals Series on Universal

arglebargle · Post by **arglebargle** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:52 pm

Ah, no love for period (1920's) instruments? - How about the Roy Goodman / New Queens Hall Orchestra recording? Not including Pluto but including St. Paul's Suite.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:16 pm

arglebargle wrote:Ah, no love for period (1920's) instruments? - How about the Roy Goodman / New Queens Hall Orchestra recording? Not including Pluto but including St. Paul's Suite.

Not true, many of us Recommend JE Gardiner's version...

Post by **Lance** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:56 pm

Well, what about the TWO-PIANO version? I have at least TWO recordings of that! (I do miss the chorus, however!)

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:14 am

For a good, in-depth look at The Planets' recording history (& some recordings that are musically satisfying, as much as or more so than aurally satisfying), click on this post from the past:
http://classicalmusicguide.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8906

Mark Preece · Post by **Mark Preece** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:57 am

I own 6 different recordings of the the Planets.
*LSO LIVE with Colin Davis
*LSO with Holst conducting (1926)
*Montreal with Dutoit
*New York Philharmonic with Bernstein
*Philharmonia with Gardiner
However, my favorite will always be the infamous 1971 recording featuring the LA Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta. This is THE recording to hear. In this recording, Tommy Johnson doubles the tuba part with Roger Bobo, creating an enormous sound that will never be duplicated... particularly in the mid section of Uranus. The low E is just jaw-dropping. Also the bass trombone gives an amazing dark edge to the low brass sound. Despite the work of the low brass, Mehta's tempos and voice layering are picture perfect, particularly in the strings in Saturn. Mars is the most robust I have ever heard, a real Bringer of War!

Incidentally, the Regina Symphony will be performing this work this Saturday to kick off the orchestra's centennial year.

Please listen to this recording. It is one of my all time favorites in my CD library. (I own recordings from the first two links)
http://www.amazon.com/Holst-Planets-Wil ... 488&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/Zubin-Mehta-Seven ... 513&sr=8-4
http://www.amazon.com/Holst-The-Planets ... 401&sr=8-2

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:07 pm

Can't go wrong with Dutoit or the classic Steinberg on DG. I turn to the Steinberg most often.

SONNET CLV · Post by **SONNET CLV** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:25 am

In honor of this post, I spent my listening session last evening with Boult's 1970-71 EMI recording of THE PLANETS. It's a good one. I was especially struck by the soundstage presence and orchestral detail, as well as by Boult's inimitible interpretation.
Like many of you, I have several PLANETS on the shelf, and nearly each offers something to recommend highly. Heck! The music is just that good!
Included in that collection is a KOCH disc 3-7018-2H1 titled "The Composers Conduct" which features a 1926 recording of Gustav Holst conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in his own Op.32, THE PLANETS. (I have it on in the background as I type.) The sound is of its era, but still quite listenable compared to many of the earlier recordings I have; and there is some noise, as if an old LP were played and recorded on tape to make this CD. Still ... it's the composer's statement, though I don't find it overall as compelling as some of the others mentioned here, including the version by Boult (which remains my favorite). The coupling on the KOCH disc features Ralph Vaughan Williams conducting his own Symphony No. 4 in 1937. A treasure, to be sure.

--SONNET CLV--

robmartino · Post by **robmartino** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:21 am

I probably have more recordings of this than anything else in my collection. For a while my favorite was Levine's CSO.

However I recently discovered the 1971 William Steinberg/BSO and was amazed by it... at least sonically it's the best I've heard (I love being "up close" and hearing all the details- it makes the other recordings sound more "blurry" and distant to my ears).

Steinberg's Mars is quite fast (6:37), and perhaps my only complaint is his slower tempo of Jupiter (I like Levine and Gardiner better in this regard, more like Holst's recording, which I found very interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr34S0hkZP8 ) One of the Holst recordings will be my next acquisition I think. Here is info and sample from the 1923 version:

http://www.pristineclassical.com/LargeW ... ASC131.php

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:40 am

robmartino wrote:I probably have more recordings of this than anything else in my collection. For a while my favorite was Levine's CSO.

that's still my favorite - I used to have the Steinberg, but I gave it away. that was a real low point for the BSO performance-wise, the tail-end of the Leinsdorf years...there are places where it sounds good, but also places that fail badly...alot of the tricky rhythmic passages - Holst throws in some nasty ensemble problems - were hopelessly garbled, IIRC, and some of the big moments - ie - Uranus' magic spell - really fell flat...try Levine or Mehta/LAPO [another very excellent version]. Boult/New PhilOrch is another eally good one.

Post by **Lance** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 11:09 am

It's nice to see "The Planets" rise to the top of our boards again. I still maintain the Karajan on DGG [439.011] is quite an extraordinary interpretation for this "larger-than-life" kind of composition. It remains one of my few favourite Karajan recordings. I mentioned the Stokowski EMI recording [65423], the kind of music this maestro could also take to the outer dimensions. Cala of England reissued Stokie's 1952/NBC SO RCA recording [0526]. Near as I know, I have all of Sir Adrian Boult's myriad recordings and they apparently continue to rank high on everyone's list.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 11:27 am

Lance wrote:It's nice to see "The Planets" rise to the top of our boards again.

Now I'm waiting for maestrob.

THEHORN · Post by **THEHORN** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 11:30 am

The only recording of the Planets I currently have is with Geoffrey Simon and the LSO. Both performance and sound are excellent and it's on the dirt cheap Laserlight label.
If you are looking for an excellent bargain version, grab this if it's still available.
Simon has recorded some interesting out of the way repertoire, including the original version of Tchaikovsky's "Little Russian" symphony.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:13 am

Hi, Sylph!

I don't have a favorite recording of The Planets: I like these all for different reasons:

1) Stokowski

http://www.amazon.com/Holst-Planets-Sch ... 325&sr=1-1

2) Boult (EMI) stereo

http://www.amazon.com/Holst-Planets-Elg ... 376&sr=1-2

3) Herrman (Phase 4 reel-to-reel)

http://www.amazon.com/BERNARD-HERRMANN- ... 262&sr=1-5

4) Levine

http://www.amazon.com/Holst-Planets-Gus ... 495&sr=1-1

5) Mehta

http://www.amazon.com/Holst-The-Planets ... 553&sr=1-3

6) Susskind

http://www.amazon.com/Holst-The-Planets ... 639&sr=1-1

TopoGigio · Post by **TopoGigio** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:56 am

Ormandy

---
Yes.For two'pianos its WWonderful also.There is a world or two for two'pianos or
two'composers versions...

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:47 am

maestrob wrote:Hi, Sylph!

I don't have a favorite recording of The Planets: I like these all for different reasons:

Thank you, maestro! Those are some very good recordings, but Levine seems to be leading in number of nominations!

John F · Post by **John F** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:19 am

One feature of the Stokowski/Houston Sym recording (the first I had): he adds a tam-tam crescendo over the last couple of "Mars" bars. Yes, I did say that.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:43 am

John F wrote:One feature of the Stokowski/Houston Sym recording (the first I had): he adds a tam-tam crescendo over the last couple of "Mars" bars. Yes, I did say that.

That one will probably cause a few snickers.

John

ChrisX · Post by **ChrisX** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:01 pm

I got 3 Planets recordings in my collections and all shed a different light on this glorious piece of music.

1. Dutoit / Montreal / Decca (460606-2)
My first (well, not exactly true because I got to know the Planets through Tomita's electronic rendition) and still my favourite because it just sounds so good. I don't know if they close miked the organ but the other two recordings I have don't have that same earth shattering effect then this one has.

2. Boult / LPO / EMI 1978 recording
Where as the Dutoit is a sumptuosly thrilling performance Boult's sounds more relaxed but to my utter amazement (I had to check twice) his performance clocks in almost 4 minutes shorter then Dutoit.

3. Rattle / BPO / EMI 2006 recording with the added Pluto, The Renewer by Colin Matthews
I read very good things about this recording and when I found it cheap online including a disc with 4 commisioned (by the BPO) pieces themed around Asteroids and other celestial phenomena I just had to get it. And it is quite a revelatory recording, I heard things in this one that I hadn't heard on either Boult or Dutiot. Timewise (without Pluto) he sits almost in the middle of these two. This is certainly a recording that I will listen to in more detail somewhere the next few weeks.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:18 pm

ChrisX wrote: I read very good things about this recording and when I found it cheap online including a disc with 4 commisioned (by the BPO) pieces themed around Asteroids and other celestial phenomena I just had to get it.

Yes, Disc 2 features:

Kaija Saariaho's Asteroid 4179: Toutatis
Matthias Pintscher's Towards Osiris
Mark-Anthony Turnage's Ceres
Brett Dean's Komarov's Fall

[/size]

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:24 pm

Sylph wrote:Could someone recommend me a good, crisp recording?

Yes: Every one ever made. No offense, Sylph but that is what such threads always end up accomplishing. My advice? Play eeny-meeny-miney mo. We're not talking La Mer.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:25 pm

jbuck919 wrote:
Sylph wrote:Could someone recommend me a good, crisp recording?
Yes: Every one ever made. No offense, Sylph but that is what such threads always end up accomplishing.

No offense taken. I actually like it when I see different people suggesting different recordings. It entertains me.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:48 pm

Sylph wrote:
ChrisX wrote: I read very good things about this recording and when I found it cheap online including a disc with 4 commisioned (by the BPO) pieces themed around Asteroids and other celestial phenomena I just had to get it.
Yes, Disc 2 features:

Kaija Saariaho's Asteroid 4179: Toutatis

Matthias Pintscher's Towards Osiris

Mark-Anthony Turnage's Ceres

Brett Dean's Komarov's Fall
[/size]

Sorry, but I ain't buying a Simon Le Rat CD no matter what is on disc two...I do like Mark Elders recording that includes Pluto however...

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:14 pm

Definitely the best for me is Levine/CSO.

I have a question: people who have both Karajan versions — which one is better, Vienna or Berlin?

stenka razin · Post by **stenka razin** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:23 pm

Sylph, Karajan's Vienna Philharmonic Decca Recording was made in the Vienna Sofiensaal. The sound is sensational as you expect from that exalted recording venue and the performance is very good, mate.

Post by **Lance** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:45 pm

For me, the one with the BPO. The clarity and ultra-precision of the orchestra, and HvK's different "view" from the earlier VPO one makes, to me, a greater statement—more "realism." Both are exceptional. If you just have to have one, I would choose the BPO on DGG. [Don't forget the Steinberg ... it's one of his best performances on discs, surprisingly, because one doesn't expect this from the German master.]

Sylph wrote:Definitely the best for me is Levine/CSO.

I have a question: people who have both Karajan versions — which one is better, Vienna or Berlin?

stenka razin · Post by **stenka razin** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:14 pm

Lance wrote:For me, the one with the BPO. The clarity and ultra-precision of the orchestra, and HvK's different "view" from the earlier VPO one makes, to me, a greater statement—more "realism." Both are exceptional. If you just have to have one, I would choose the BPO on DGG. [Don't forget the Steinberg ... it's one of his best performances on discs, surprisingly, because one doesn't expect this from the German master.]
Sylph wrote:Definitely the best for me is Levine/CSO.

I have a question: people who have both Karajan versions — which one is better, Vienna or Berlin?

Lance, I not only have many Steinberg CDs, but, I saw him conduct the Pittsburgh, Boston and New York Philharmonic orchestras. He was a great conductor and is sadly underapprecaited.

P.S. I agree about Steinberg's Planets and also think the Karajan's BPO rethink is quite a sonic treat, mate.

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