This is one of the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful pieces of music in existence. The irony is that Venus has possibly the most brutal surface environment of all the smaller planets, though, of course, Holst didn't know this when he wrote it.

I can just imagine Riuichi Sakamoto listening to this amid the height of his electro-techno phase and thinking: "That's what I want to do." Something about having a full live orchestra with which to work that so broadens the palette available to more fully convey one's ideas.

Every time I listen to this suite, I imagine myself visiting these planets like in a sci-fi movie. A lot of musical color on all these pieces. A Masterpiece for sure.

At 12/13 holst the planet suite was my first vinyl LP. (2nd was tubular bells).

has me in tears its so beautiful

This suite was probably my first chance to hear a piece of classical music. It was a positive experience and I still look forward to hearing it again. A beautiful collection of pieces, rich in imagination and orchestral detail. I can't vouch for one reading or recording over another, but I'd say that H. v Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic are going to take you on a satisfying journey. Glad you have found it was rewarding, JP.

Hi Justin. Dave from London (at the Dimming Of The Day). Holst's Planets is one of my favourite classical works, and I've seen it many times live. So much drama, so many mood changes. You've captured the essence of Venus so well in your reaction. Pure peace and serenity, with some beautifully weaving melodies, especially on the oboe and violin. P.S. my song ref Dimming Of The Day is by Alison Krauss & Union Station.

One my favourite classical suites .. Can't wait for you to check out "Jupiter"

There is a joke among musicians: "The Planets" is where John Williams gets all his material. But seriously, John Williams is an epic composer in his own right.

The Planets is just wonderful from start to finish. Thanks for continuing past "Mars".

The Planets has always been one of my top 3 classical pieces of muic. I first heard of it from Emerson, Lake & Powell’s take on Mars, but after listening to the “real” deal, Venus is the one I immediately loved the most. Hearing the whole suite performed live is one of the best classical concerts I’ve been to.

The slow, graceful and quiet nature of this movement is very evocative of drifting though space.

The Celesta is a piano-like instrument, but strikes metal sheets that sound like bells. It's the instrument that plays right at the end of this movement. Commonly used nowadays in pieces that relate to space/sci-fi.

Stunningly beautiful. Soothing balm for the soul.

You can't go wrong with Von Karajan (pronounced "KARRA-yaan"). It's a wonderful suite - Mars and Jupiter are the best-known movements, but the whole thing is excellent - the colder, haunting later movements in particular deserve to be better known. The Planets is very influential, too, both on the writers of film soundtracks and on many electronic and prog musicians. In their early days King Crimson used to cover "Mars" live, for instance, and they used it as an inspiration for some of their longer early tracks. If you enjoy this suite, I suggest you also try Antonin Dvorak (pronounced VOR-zhak)'s "New World Symphony".

Love The Planets 🪐 🌎 🌙 ✨

You should check out Manfred Mann’s Earth Band album, “Solar Fire”, as we are on “The Planets”. Also check out the single, “Joybringer”, from the same band. You’ll recognise Jupiter.

So nice, so smooth. Everybody talks of the 3 B's, but Holst can stand amongst them with this piece alone, it's so good.

Good for you to explore classical music, JP. It's OK that you're starting with some of the most popular, ear-friendly music in the genre. Just ease into it at a pace that's comfortable for you. I don't know if you've taken any music appreciation classes, but this music is a good launching point to exploring many classical ideas. Like Tchaikovsky before him, Holst didn't necessarily invent anything new, but he was masterful at taking powerful melodies and working them into sturdy thematic architectures. There's a reason this music has been a staple of symphony programming since it first appeared, and will remain so.

This suite is a masterpiece of music based entirely on astrology. Each piece accurately reflects the astrological personality of each planet.

Holst was heavily influenced by Eastern Mysticism & can be heard here, also especially in Neptune. The Rig Veda & The Night Watch are two of my favourites of his in this vein, though he was a master of all forms of classical music. Still a much underrated composer I feel.

My favourite classical composer. Fantastic album and for some reason I can imagine Tony Banks being influenced by this track in particular. If you substitute the solo violin for a banksian synth type sound maybe. You should listen to the first track of his solo album 'A Curious Feeling' called 'From The Undertow.' Good stuff indeed.

BRAVO Justin!! Whenever I listened to the Planets, I never did listen to just 1 piece...I let it play thru. Interestingly, I also had in my possession the version done by Tomita (I now have it on cd). You may notice how much classical music influenced the Progressive bands. Yes, for example played a segment of Stravinsky's Firebird suite before every show. ELP was no doubt. Anyway, keep it going...much more Planets to discover.

One of my favourite suites of classical music ever - love it. Never tire of hearing it. Keeping my eyes open for a decent live performance to attend and experience it 'in the moment' 🎼🎼🎶🎶😍👍 Thanks for branching out into classical Justin 👍😎👏

My favorite classical piece by my favorite composer. My personal favorite is "Jupiter." Had the opportunity to play the piece in its entirety with performing with a symphonic band. Love it.

I don't know much classical music....but I know the Planets and I love it! I was probably introduced to this because of Emerson Lake & Powell's cover of "Mars the bringer of war" (which is worth a listen). Cheers!

He was born in Cheltenham, England, such an amazing talent.

One of the most important factors with classical music, and one that really can make or break a recording, is the sound engineering. I went back and listened to your Mars reaction, and the performance was excellent, but the sound quality was on the muddy side. Compare here - just how crystalline and perfect the sound is. If you want to listen to other classical music, either on your own time or to react, I highly recommend the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. Good orchestra, several young (or ish) and dynamic conductors, and the production values (vid and sound) are outstanding. A lot of their repertoire might be a little long for a reaction - 1 hour and 20 minutes of Mahler is amazing, but might be a stretch. 🙂

As with every part of the suite, it is the basis of the music for almost every sci-fi film ever made. Besides, each part has a different feel to it. Next up is Mercury, which is a much faster piece.

i wish i could hear the planets for the first time again.

Beautiful

YES! Yes ! YES!!! Thank you so much. And the same version I have as well. Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic on DG. No better recordings than from this combination!!!

This was a surprise; I wasn’t expecting you to keep going. Classical was my top genre for Spotify Wrapped 2022. I’m good with this! 👍

I love The Planet Suite, definitely one of my faves. I'd love for you to check out Isao Tomita's version, a particular favourite of mine being his rendition of Jupiter, it's awesome. Enjoyed the beautiful Venus piece, nice post JP. Peace to you and yours.😊😺

It's a stunning work in its serene evocations and sense of arrival into pastoral sunlight after a devastating occurrence.

its crazy how much this suite sounds like old film music (or rather, the other way around)

I dozed off twice.

Thank you. I enjoyed that, much.

Rick Wakeman used a very similar melody in "Searching For Gold".

As close to perfect as music can get.

Tomita did a wonderful electronic version of this in 1976. Be really interesting to compare.

Tales of Mystery and Imagination 1976 by The Alan Parsons Project is an ideal album to explore it's got classical and electronic elements it's got mysterious musical sounds the album was remastered in 1987 that also added a new voice narrator wich added an even more mystery and Imagination to an already existing masterpiece The 1987 Remix edition is the one to listen to it starts with the song A Dream Within a Dream

so much star wars in this

After you have done the classical version, you should check out Isao Tomita's version.

Great to see you cover the occasional classical masterpiece Justin - Many Thanks !!

Excellent recommendation, one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed. I listen to it near daily. The best performance, imo: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor: George Hurst (1974). More: 👉 Beaver & Krause - Good Places (1970) - you'd love this.

The album Solar Fire by Manfred Mann's Earthband is based (loosely) on The Planets. A recommendation!

Justin, Isao Tomita, a Japanese synth soloist (like Jean Jarre) did a fantastic version of this whole suite (?) in the mid 70s worth a few minutes for you to listen to. PS I love Holst's Mars and Mercury, such fun to listen to.

Formidable! Looking forward to hearing more classicalish music. Haven't heard Venus is eons. Time to change that...

such a beautiful piece. The last movement is also very melancholic.

There is an electronic version of the planet suite by Japanese artist Isao Tomita that is worth listening to (not sure if I got the first name right).

Such wonderful, sweeping elegance in this piece. I've loved the whole suite since I was young, Neptune and Jupiter are my favourites. I'd highly recommend you listen to Ravel's Bolero - another amazing piece of classical music The best for me however will always be Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

If you're looking for something somewhat similar, check out "O Magnum Mysterium", by Morten Lauridsen. It's usually done as a choral piece, but the H. Robert Reynolds arrangement for wind ensemble is, IMHO, the most beautiful piece of music performed. Put some headphones, close your eyes, and go to church: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eNt2rLxmla-4fnU.html

Great musical suite. I first heard it as an electronic piece by the Japanese artist Tomita back in the '80s I think.

A beautiful, and sweeping piece. It's nice to get back into classical again. And in that vein, maybe it's time to get back to Bach, see what else he's got following your dabble with his choral music. I'd recommend his Brandenburg concertos, sublime stuff. There's 6, all fantastic, though I must say my 'go to' is No.3 with No.2 following very close on its heals. You can't go wrong with Bach.

Try Neptune it's amazing with the choir

Ahead of its time. The whole work is so moving.

Holst,Debussy,Vaughn Williams,Prokofiev .The basis of modern classical music.Wonderful🥲

I think I've already mentioned that there's a *Joe Parrish* all guitars cover of this that's worth looking for if you like. However, I think the link I'll give is to *Deep Turtle - There's a Vomitsprinkler in my Liverriver* (they're Finnish). No connection to this lovely piece of music; just something I forget too often, and ended up remembering again today; so here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gbdooLWBrqmciWg.html

I liked it...

I’m partial to Neptune the Mystic. But the work as a whole is very nice and Venus is my other favorite track.

that one dislike is pluto

After 'Full Album Friday', now I am really peacefully spiraling out into the void. But it would help to finish the suite! Or at least for the season, "In The Bleak Mid-Winter". It might Peaky your interest, if your not wearing Blinders! ---- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/prqqpLCal6e1dmw.html Peace.

The father of movie soundtracks..

Zappa used sections of The Planets in at least one composition. Umm - not this one.

Oh, by the way MORE...and some Fusion Jazz too, like weather Report, or Passport, or Return To Forever, may be Brubeck even.

Way too fast. What is Herbert's problem? He runs the sections together, impatiently. Almost terse in comparison. It is a full minute faster than Charles Dutoit. Almost unlistenable to my ears. I love his Beethoven and Mahler, though. He just doesn't get Holst.