I notice that most of the comments are by young wind players. I am neither, being an old pianist, but I cannot tell you all how much I admire your enthusiasm. May you have long lives blessed with music.

My father died trying to get to one of my professional performances in which we played this piece when I was 17 years old, I played french horn. During our next show a few weeks later, I asked the director and the band if they would permit met to direct this particular piece and add it to the show. It was one of the pieces my father really liked. The band graciously allowed it and dedicated that piece to him. So Holst's first suite in E-flat remains one of my most treasured pieces even now at age 48. I honor him every time i experience it again.

I fell in love with this song in the 9th grade and still enjoy 50 years later.

The real tragedy is that I can't go back in time and hear this for the first time again.

All I hear is the Euphonium, and my tears hitting the floor

Some people say that Gustav Holst didn't have as much success from his "First Suite in E-flat." Holst, knowing that he had to write something better, decided to take it a step up for his "Second Suite in F"

Chaconne gives me chills. Every. Single. Time.

Holst truly was a musical genius. Whats most amazing is how he builds the phrases not only by increasing dynamics but by adding new sections in each passing along the melody and bringing us to the grand ending of the first movement with the trombones playing the melody. Ah what a glorious moment

4:40 not enough bass trombone. Never enough bass trombone

Man there's nothing like hearing clarinets with good tone. They made me have to pick my jaw up off my desk.

1:27 Composer: Hey clarinets, We are gonna go on that long scale that no one can can do. Me: NOOOO

This piece is a Euphonium player's dream come true.

i’m a senior in highschool now playing this suite for a spring concert and it had made me completely change my perspective on music i play primarily low brass and that my job is to play notes at a certain time and a certain way but this piece has made me see that music is more then just the instructions on the paper it’s a art form and what is art but a form of emotional expression nothing has made me love music more and i can’t wait to see where my life goes from here no matter how much socially deems it unhelpful or unimportant i will never stop playing music not till i die

for cornet 1’s, or anyone else who may find it useful :) 1. chaconne bar 8: 0:18 pickup one bar after A: 0:57 B: 1:27 pickup to D: 2:51 pickup to E: 3:23 pickup to F: 4:00 2. intermezzo: 4:49 A: 5:09 B: 5:24 C: 5:44 D: 6:13 2/4: 6:42 E: 6:50 pickup to 5 bars after F: 7:10 3. march 7:38 A: 8:11 7 bars after B: 8:49 C: 9:06 D: 9:29 pui mosso: 10:14

Such a convincing piece of music. Holst really had a way of inviting the listener into his unique little world and selling them on his ideas.

Love all three suites, especially on French Horn.

It doesn't matter how many years pass by... some pieces from your earlier band-life stay with you. This was always one of my favorites (chose to teach and conduct it during my student teaching as well). Other favorites of mine from my high school years: Shostakovitch: Festive Overture Vaungh Williams: English Folk Suite Chance: Variations on a Korean Folk Song von Suppe: Poet and Peasant Overture Zdechlik: Chorale and Shaker Dance

So many euphonium players -my people!!!!!!!

I always loved playing chaconne the most of the 3 movements. I miss playing clarinet 🙁

I'm a freshman in highschool and I play the clarinet. I'm listening to this piece for a class assignment and I love the clarinet part....it's really beautiful

That high trumpeter at 4:10 though..... Man it really gets me every single time

One of my favorite pieces to play on Tuba. Gustav Holst never fails with his music. Whether it be First Suite in Eb or the Planets Suites.

As a flute, I can say I love the 24-measure rest in part 1, the 20-measure rest in part 2, and the 70-measure rest in part 3

When my director pulled this out first day of Wind Ensemble, and we played it, I was blown away, and quite frankly disappointed, I hadn't discovered Holst until 10th grade

In the late 60s, I had the sublime privilege of playing this under the benign direction of the late, great John B Robbins. What a fine time it was. Comradeship and Esprit de Corps. "Time it was, and what a time it was, it was. A time of innocence, A time of confidences." If you are playing in band or orchestra now, treasure the experience. Best regards. M

There are so many Euphonium players commenting on here, I'm so happy! :D I'm a college freshman this year and that's my primary instrument. I'm playing this piece for the third time, and I still love it!

The peak of the crescendo at 4:00 takes my breath away and swells me with emotion every single time I listen to this wonderful suite.

I'm playing this in trombone, and every time we play those dancing eighths I get the chills. Truly amazing.

ITS 2 AM IN THE MORNING AND IM LISTENING TO THIS FULL BLAST ITS FUCKIN LIT

This and the second suite in f are some of the best music I've played on tuba. Great pieces.

Every time I here this beautiful piece of music I get a flash flood of memories from hs. It's because of this song that I'm am able to be happy. With a broken down brain due to emotional trauma, this suite keeps me sane and away from suicidal thoughts and lessens my chronic depression.

If you have never played this piece in your life and you consider yourself a band nerd, were you ever actually in band??

I Played 1st flute and Piccolo for this piece under the great Frederick fennel, and he had me double the Eflat Clarinet for the repeated note in the Intermezzo, as it was cued in my original part. Can't love this piece enough!! Great and correct tempos here too!! Jean Antrim

I played this in youth band over 30 years ago as a teenager and was really moved by this incredibly beautiful music. Through a twist of fate I am now the conductor of that youth band, and am about to introduce this piece in September 2021 - I feel so excited to be doing this music again, and being able to share it with the next generation - a very humbling experience! I also love that so many people have commented about their own special moments and I will do my best to bring all these out in our performance!

im playing tenor saxophone for this piece in my band omg

I played this in my senior year of high school (1989-90) playing the 1st F Horn part.

The Horn Solo is so much fun! My high school band alternates between this and the second suite every two years.

The flute & oboe duet at 2:13 is just so freaking amazing! Best I have ever heard been played! Love this whole suite to death!

I have so many good memories linked to this piece :). Some times listening to it bring tears to my eyes!

1st cornet tops everything! 4:10 gives me chills when I play it in class

The third mvmt was killer on euphonium during the fast parts...especially when you were never taught how to double tongue :/

Forty-five years ago I played this piece on bass clarinet. Memories flood and tears flow.

I play bass clarinet and my band teacher is making our wind ensemble play this piece for our group playing portion for our final exam. Totally hype about my solos in second movement :). We just played the second suite in f in our last concert. Shoutout to my lower winds!

I played this in all state band and I was playing the contra alto clarinet so I love hearing the low brass and woodwinds blow the roof off this piece. It's so pretty all of the movements! I still love listening to this piece right now!

i played my first piccolo solo in this piece :') ive come a loong way since then but this piece will always have a special place in my heart 💕

i’m a horn player 3rd movement is a whole bop

The chaconne part was used as our audition piece for symphonic band. I play the flute and I must say that although the slow parts are nice, the tricker,faster parts are my favorite.

my bands playing this rn

One of the greatest pieces in all of concert band repertoire. I loved performing this, and I come back to listen to this piece every once in a while, just for the chills. Truly incredible.

Hmm. I wonder if this song is British.

I just love Holst

My high school band played this last year, and I had the Euph solo at the beginning of the chaconne. By far my most favorite piece I've ever played.

That horn solo is severely underrated.

Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, and company 😩❤❤❤

I cry EVERYTIME I listen to this, I fell in love with this piece in 9th grade and every once in a while I’ll come back to listen to it. Full blast in my headphones the build up makes me sob

This will be the last concert piece i ever play with all my best friends as a senior in highschool. Truly a beautiful end to our chapter in band.

Gustav Holst was truly one of the best composers of all time. His music just pulls you in and you can listen to it for hours.

This was one of the first songs I played when I got into my high school wind ensemble, and it will always be one of my favorites. The chaconne is my favorite movement; I can't help but smile and look back on those memories (even though it's only been a year since I first played it). Good times...

I haven't heard this piece in nearly four years. The first movement still gives me shivers.

Played this song my junior year of highschool. I'm a sophomore in college now, and still come back to this piece to listen all the time.

The best rendition of this piece I've heard.

This piece is every euphonium 's wet dream.!

Favorite piece by Gustav Holst. Just so much raw emotion and energy all throughout!! And with 17 different themes, OMG its a true work of art! I love conducting this piece too! You can put so much into it, and get so much out during a performance. I cry nearly every time.

7:38 This movement THIS MOVEMENT. My band class got First Suite this year and we love this one so much. We literally play it to death. There could be as little as 3 of us and we’d start playing March. It’s just too good.

I played this over 12 years ago in band on trombone and i can still perfectly whistle and remember my entire part.

Me: I have some water Brit: I sleep Me: With leaves Brit: GIVE. ME. THE. PLANT.

My lord does the run in Chaconne kill me as a clarinet

In the spring of 2021, at the end of the Covid school year when our band was very limited in how much we could do, we finally got to have a concert, just before graduation, and we played Chaconne. The weather was gorgeous and the mood was giddy, ecstatic to be performing again. This Sunday, two years later and after dealing with complications of a Covid infection, I get to play this glorious suite in its entirety with the community band. We rehearse in the high school band room under a poster dedicated to my Class of 2021.

Ihave to say as an oboe player it really challenges you to stay with a proper tone and this piece has helped my ability as a player more than any other piece.. I love this piece it is with no doubt my favorite.

ALL HAIL THE REPLAY BUTTON!!!!!!

The greatest halftime show I marched was based off of this piece. It was entitled "First Impressions" because we had just received new uniforms that year. The music was almost exactly the same as in the original arrangement. Such great music and a very powerful show.

Currently playing this for our winter concert in band! I love the third movement, so fun to play on the flute :)

I'm a senior and first chair flute/piccolo in high school and we are playing this at my last concert, we are also playing Stars and Stripes Forever by Sousa and Arabesque by Hazo... And fellow Piccolo players will understand when I say I am SO excited for this concert!!! This is one of my favorite songs we have ever played!

I live for the oboe solo in Chaconne

The amount of times the swell and payoff in Chaconne has made me cry isn’t even possible to count

Besides euphonium, bass trombone has the best part.

Gustav Holst is so much more than just The Planets. He was a mastermind of music.

How can ANYONE have a thumbs down on this classic?? They must not be bandsmen!!!

As a high school student, this song was one of many to help me realize the beauty of wind orchestras. I will forever love this song. Conducting it is very fun too 😊

music such as this magnificent piece will be remembered by musicians across the world. With such fine beauty, talent, and sophistication, this is my most favorite piece to play on my clarinet

This was one of my favorite pieces. What I wouldn't give to play my bassoon again.

Sure...it's been said time and again in many ways: The people who have heard this piece over its history - nearly 110 years - love it. So do I! This band performing it...one of the greatest in the world! The U.S.M.C. is so proud of them in their long history. These people strive for perfection. Frederick Fennell has been a very long time band leader and the world owes him a great gratitude!

I am a tenor sax for our band in high school and as soon as we got this piece our music instructor told us that his teacher said this was a musical great and every kid should have the privilege of experiencing it. He was too right. Practicing this has made me shoot up in skill level and it is all around such a great song. I love how it keeps the chaconne melody throughout the song. To everyone who plays this I hope you share my thoughts lol

We still haven't played this in concert. I'm pissed.

I'm a freshman, clarinetist going into our symphonic band next year, and oh my, what a fun piece!

I'm saying this in wind ensemble. It's a pretty fun piece. Clarinet part sounds nice and pleasant.

Holst was such a genius! What could he have given the world if he'd had music-writing software?? So much enthusiasm, joy, love, playfulness, deviousness, excitement, wonder, sadness... All entwine beautifully to become an enduring painting of life in the early 1900s.

Frederick Fennell was THE pre-eminent conductor of wind ensembles during his career. When he conducted the "festival band" I played in as a high school student, he made that ensemble sound like nothing any of us had heard - practically all of us said this. A truly great musician and conductor. His recordings with the Eastman Wind Ensemble are the standard by which all large wind orchestras are compared. Thanks, Maestro Fennell, for a great experience. Daniel T - thanks for posting this.

I remember playing Bass Clarinet on this piece, it brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it😭. I love this piece

0:00 chaconne 4:48 intermezzo 7:38 march

This was the first piece I played in concert band my freshman year of highschool. I was a tuba player and had two others in my section. To this day I cherish the memories I made with those two and the bond I feel with them is reminisced every time I hear this piece.

I'll never forget playing this for my freshman year of high school. So many memories come flying back when hearing those first few movements of Chaconne. Grateful for all those years in band :)

I swear, this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. The ending of Chaconne gives me chills. Playing this in band was an EXPERIENCE.

Just played this at our spring concert and my god I’ve never heard my friends hit notes like these before this song

i’m playing timpani on this piece for my college’s symphonic band. i don’t know how to explain what this means but this piece, especially the first movement, is just so holst. i’m in love.

one of very few pieces where we tenor saxes are appreciated and valued. i will remember playing this piece forever ❤

The ending of chaconne is easily the best thing I've ever heard

got goosebumps when we played this in high school band

Listening to the tuba in this recording making those VERY high register notes sound so elegant and flawless makes me super super jealous... wow..

3rd clarinet for this piece in concert band, march is by far my favorite