HOLST:The Planets - Others fans out here?

I agree it's a great piece. I also think Saturn is masterful. As you say, the minimum of material imaginatively and impressively used along with a scary build-up of tension and that magical ending (especially when the organ enters). I happen the think Holst's symphonic poem 'Egdon Heath' is his real masterpiece, however. If you have never heard it, it's a must. Don't allow yourself to think Holst can only be represented by 'The Planets'; he wrote a great deal of other really excellent music which is well worth seeking out.

As for the Ormandy performance, I never liked it much. I suppose it's worth having if there is not a better DVD version (and I don't know) but the best audio versions in my humble opinion are:

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/George Hurst

Royal Scottish national Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones

Montreal Symphony Orchestra/Charles Dutoit

There's something about the way Jupiter begins that makes me feel excited. I remember when the USM Symphony was performing it last year, and I was part of the women's chorus for Neptune, I had to be behind the sound shields when the symphony was playing Jupiter...or at least be where I could hear it.

Neptune commands a sort of mystique. I find it very relaxing, and it always reminds me of how vast this universe is. I find my last statement somewhat humorous because Holst wasn't writing this piece with the actual planets in mind, but rather the Roman gods.

Mars just scares me. It has since I was little. I get bored with Venus and Saturn, no offense (moreso with the former). Uranus is weird on many levels, but I love it anyway.

Yes, it's a marvelous composition, Michael, but it isn't a symphony, Effectively it is seven symphonic poems. In the same way as Smetana's Ma Vlast is a single work comprising six symphonic poems. Worth a listen by the way.

I think my favourite recording of The Planets is Sir Simon Rattle with the Berliner Philharmoniker. I would remind you, however ... as someone else already has ... that there is more to Holst than The Planets.

I have to admit that Mars does have that intense appeal, especially for me as a cellist. Really gets into the nitty gritty.

And sort of off topic, did you ever think that now Holst's Planets are now complete because Pluto is no longer considered a real planet? Just a little music nerd humor!

~Lisa

I loved Jupiter! I got to play it in orchestra! Totally awesome. Though, we were missing the timpani...

one of my favorites also. Mars, the Bringer of War is my theme song.

i really like it! i like Mars: the bringer of war, venus and the bringer of peace one. i don't remember what it was, though.

i love that work, my favourite its Neptune, its like listening to the universe and the solar system.. its beautiful..!!