1. Charles Dutoit, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, 1986
2. Seiji Ozawa, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1979
3. Mark Elder, The Hallé Orchestra, 2001
4. Sir Malcolm Sargent, BBC Symphony Orchestra, 1958
5. Gustav Holst, London Symphony Orchestra, 1926
6. Roy Goodman, New Queens Hall Orchestra, 1996
7. Andrew Litton, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, 1997
8. Sir Colin Davis, Berliner Philharmoniker, 1988
9. Sir Charles Groves, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 1987
10. Sir Adrian Boult, Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra, 1954
11. Zubin Mehta, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, 1971
12. Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, 1971
13. William Boughton, Philharmonia Orchestra, 1988
14. James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1990
15. Leopold Stokowski, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, 1956
16. James Judd, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 1991
17. Vernon Handley, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 1993
18. Andrew Davis, The Toronto Symphony, 1986
19. Richard Hickox, London Symphony Orchestra, 1987
20. Sir Neville Marriner, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, 1978
21. Hymisher Greenburg, The European Philharmonic Orchestra, 1993
22. Alberto Lizzio, The Festival Orchestra, 1997
23. Mayfair Philharmonic Orchestra, 2014
24. Vladimir Jurowski, London Philharmonic Orchestra, 2009
25. Leonard Slatkin, Philharmonia Orchestra, 1996
26. Geoffrey Simon, London Symphony Orchestra, 1986
27. Yoel Levi, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 1998
28. Sir Adrian Boult, BBC Symphony Orchestra, 1945
29. Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra, 1975
30. George Hurst, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, 1974
31. Leopold Stokowski, NBC Symphony Orchestra, 1943
32. Sir Adrian Boult, New Philharmonia Orchestra, 1967
33. Sir Alexander Gibson, Scottish National Orchestra, 1979
34. Sir Adrian Boult, London Philharmonic Orchestra, 1978
35. André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, 1974
36. Sir Andrew Davis, BBC Philharmonic, 2010
37. Mark Elder, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, 1998
38. Sir Charles Mackerras, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, 1989
39. Herbert von Karajan, Wiener Philharmoniker, 1961
40. Sir Simon Rattle, Philharmonia Orchestra, 1981
41. Hilary Davan Wetton, London Philharmonic Orchestra, 1989
42. Sir Malcolm Sargent, BBC Symphony Orchestra, 1965
43. Ross Pople, London Festival Orchestra, 1991
44. James Loughran, Hallé Orchestra, 1975
45. Paavo Järvi, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 2009
46. Walter Susskind, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, 1975
47. André Previn, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 1986
48. William Steinberg, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1970
49. Sir Georg Solti, London Philharmonic Orchestra, 1978
50. Adrian Leaper, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, 1995
51. Peter Oundjian, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, 2011
52. Bernard Haitink, London Philharmonic Orchestra, 1970
53. Sir Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker, 2006
54. Rico Saccani, Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, 2003
55. Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Philharmonia Orchestra, 1994
56. Adrian Leaper, CSR Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava), 1988
57. Sir Malcolm Sargent, London Symphony Orchestra, 1954
58. Owain Arwel Hughes, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 2005
59. David Lloyd-Jones, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, 2001
60. Eduardo Mata, Dallas Symphony, 1987
61. Djong Victorin Yu, Philharmonia Orchestra, 1998
62. Zubin Mehta, New York Philharmonic, 1990
63. Yan Pascal Tortelier, BBC Philharmonic, 1996
64. José Serebrier, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, 1977
65. David Robertson, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, 2014
66. Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, 1981
67. John Williams, Boston Pops Orchestra, 1986
68. Robert Ashley, London Festival Orchestra, 1996
69. Andrew Davis, BBC Symphony Orchestra, 1993
70. Wolfgang Heinzel, Philharmonie Merck, 2005
71. Roman Brogli-Sacher, Philharmonisches Orchester der Hansestadt Lübeck, 2009
72. Dennis Russell Davies, Bruckner Orchester Linz, 2001
73. Yevgeny Svetlanov, The Philharmonia, 1992
74. Sir Adrian Boult, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, 1960
75. Roger Norrington, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, 2001
76. Lorin Maazel, Orchestre National de France, 1981
77. Jansug Kakhidze, Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, 2003
78. Jahni Mardjani, Georgian Festival Orchestra, 1994
79. Thomas Kalb, Philharmonisches Orchester Heidelberg, 1999
80. Gustav Holst, London Symphony Orchestra, 1922, 1923, 1924
![51k152Dvo3L[1]](https://petersplanets.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/51k152dvo3l1.jpg?w=75&h=75)
81. Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, BBC Symphony Orchestra, 1980
82. Sir Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra, 2003
83. Bernard Herrmann, London Philharmonic Orchestra, 1970
There are other Planets CDs I know of that haven’t found their way on the list (yet):
 |
Kazuyoshi Akiyama, The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, 1980 |
 |
Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, 1980 |
 |
Sir Adrian Boult, BBC Symphony Orchestra, 1973 Update: That July 2013 issue of BBC Music Magazine is available on eBay. It’s “in good clean condition”, which is nice to know. It’s also “without the CD”. Grrr. (*I say “semi” because on the one hand I’m glad that Jerry is finding more Planets recordings for me to listen to, but on the other hand Jerry is finding more Planets recordings for me to listen to.) |
 |
Paul Freeman, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, 2002 |
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Edward Gardner, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, 2017 |
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Yutaka Sado, NHK Symphony Orchestra, 2005 |
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Evgeny Svetlanov, Sveriges Radios Symfoniorckester, 1994 |
Peter's Planets 
This is a fascinating site. I applaud your efforts. Peter Gutmann’s Classical Notes referenced this Planets project. I possess William Boughton and John Eliot Gardiner versions. I wonder how many royalties would be rolling into the Holst Estate were The Planets not Public Domain. Prayers and best wishes from Ohio.
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Thanks, Paul.
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I note that over 50 per cent of the list are British Isles orchestras.
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Maybe The Planets is considered a thoroughly English work and non-English orchestras are reluctant to tackle it. Maybe.
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I can’t locate a Sir Thomas Beecham Planets recording. I recall a Beecham quote. Lamenting the fact that many British orchestras were “bringing in third rate European conductors,” he said ” We’ve got plenty of second rate conductors right here. ” It’s been decades since I heard this anecdote. Hope my memory is accurate. Best wishes from Ohio USA
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I’ve never come across a Beecham Planets recording in my travels.
As for that quote, The Guardian has it as:
“Sir Thomas Beecham once said: ‘Why do you hire third-rate foreign conductors, when we have plenty of second-rate home grown ones?'”
(From: https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2000/aug/06/featuresreview.review3)
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Hi Peter. I am pleased to say that I have the 1987 version of the Dutoit CD. I noticed that mine has a different cover to the one at the top of your list, also you mentioned that there are 4 releases of this recording, could you tell me if all versions are identical?
On a different note, maybe a poll on cover designs would be interesting, my personal favourite ” best dressed ” Planets would be the Colin Davis LSO Live 2002 with the black symbols.
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Howdy, Magnificent Stuart
Mastering-wise, all four releases of the Dutoit Planets are identical.
I was going to post the covers I have for all the releases, but they didn’t appear when I linked them here. (Grrr.)
However, I did post them in the “Favourite Version of Holst’s The Planets?” discussion on the Steve Hoffman Music Forum. You can see them there.
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Hi Peter!
Hope you’re well.
I miss your Planets review articles! Have you had a chance to listen to any of:
the Munih/RSO Ljubljana one on Pentagon: https://open.spotify.com/album/0huTjSMJtoJQ0Z9KgMVd1C?si=LDH4MRYsTIixYn4hYrRlFg
the Batt/RPO one on Guild: https://open.spotify.com/album/417KCDNRvlF52ehvo7nEHc?si=0jCUL2HTR-itTfk-euNgiQ
the Litton/Bergen one on BIS: https://open.spotify.com/album/6X0mPDJZyHIkD04ZpS88od?si=hYbRZbkAQsOI2FnREA7oXA
the Stern/Kansas one on Reference Recordings: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Do4q3UxC6hqEMSTvp2NTL?si=GTUF8Q41Q6q6KHMQQJlVYQ
I was surprised and disappointed with the Stern and Litton ones, they just seem a bit limp and boring despite the excellent sonics that both BIS and Reference are known for. The Batt one is quite good, and I actually really liked the Munih recording, one of those that just sounds right.
Would be interested to know your thoughts on them.
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Yowser, Christian
I haven’t heard any of those recordings you mentioned. I’ll be saving up for them. (I’ll probably buy the Batt first, as it seems to be the most available CD.)
Yours disappointingly,
Peter.
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An ASU grad student transcribed for classical guitar. Super cool!
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Wow. What a Herculean effort to play the entire Planets on guitar.
07:40 I. “Mars, the Bringer of War”: https://youtu.be/jkEMUd9SEek?t=460
17:20 II. “Venus, the Bringer of Peace”: https://youtu.be/jkEMUd9SEek?t=1040
27:42 III. “Mercury, the Winged Messenger”: https://youtu.be/jkEMUd9SEek?t=1662
33:02 IV. “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity”: https://youtu.be/jkEMUd9SEek?t=1982
43:40 V. “Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age”: https://youtu.be/jkEMUd9SEek?t=2620
55:06 VI. “Uranus, the Magician”: https://youtu.be/jkEMUd9SEek?t=3306
62:50 VII. “Neptune, the Mystic”: https://youtu.be/jkEMUd9SEek?t=3770
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Hi Peter, fascinating list
But I could not find Chicago/Levine from 2004 and Bergen/Litton from 2019
What do you think of them?
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Howdy, Øistein.
The Chicago/Levine release from 2004 is simply a repackaging of his 1990 recording. (Details here.) Here’s my review of that:
https://petersplanets.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/levine-1990/
As for the Bergen/Litton, I don’t have that CD yet. I want to get it sometime.
In the meantime, here’s a review of the Bergen/Litton from someone else:
https://theclassicreview.com/album-reviews/review-elgar-enigma-variations-holst-the-planets-litton-bergen-philharmonic/
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Have you had a chance to listen/review the 1973 version by Sir Adrian Boult at the BBC Proms? Was curious as to what your verdict on that one was compared to Boults other recordings
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Yowser, Mark
“Have you had a chance to listen/review the 1973 version by Sir Adrian Boult at the BBC Proms? Was curious as to what your verdict on that one was compared to Boults other recordings.”
Unfortunately, I haven’t so far.
I have about five Planets CDs that I haven’t pestered yet – including the Boult Proms 1973 performance. All I need is to remind myself that I have them and that I need to write about the little beasties.
(Note to Self: Get around to listening to those CDs, Peter. And do it before you forget again.)
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There is a newly remastered version now on ica classics of this 7 September 1973 performance (Royal Albert Hall) – very intensive i.m.o.
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Thanks, Heifetz 63. I’ve had a quick search and found this:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9513798–holst-the-planets
It looks interesting. And I’ll be interested in hearing the improvement in sound.
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Bonjour from France, Peter !
I am quite a newcomer as far as The Planets are concerned, and your tremendous effort here has been so helpful for me as my journey through all those versions began… So, THANK YOU.
I recently got my hands – well, ears – on the Bergen/Litton, and there’s something in Mars that caught my attention: when the “big orchestral kablammo” happens (around 3:00, as is the case with most recordings), I distinctly hear 2 of those, like BAAAAAaaaBAAAAaaaam instead of the BAAAAAAAAAaaaaaam I’m used to hearing in other versions. So I decided to check among the versions I have at my disposal, and this double-BAAAM also seems to appear in the RPO/Handley (though less obviously and the second BAAAM comes quicker), and CSO/Levine (far less obvious but still, I think).
So what the hell ? Does that match what’s written in the score, or is that just some kind of mistake / exotic stuff ?
Intriguingly yours,
Fabien
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Howdy Dowdy Rowdy, Fabien
Welcome to the website.
I don’t have the Bergen/Litton CD yet (I keep forgetting to buy it), so I can’t say what happens at the three-minute mark.
However, there are a couple of Planets recordings on YouTube that have the score in the video, which is mighty helpful.
Here’s the Boult/BBC Symphony Orchestra version:
Fabien, is the bit you’re talking about at 3:05 in that video?
Over to you, Magnificent F.
Peterlini
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So in the Boult video, I would be refering to what happens at the 3:39 mark, though I hear a single “BAAaaaam” here.
I you listen to the RPO/Handley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lG0UMlkScA) at 3:03, you’ll hear 2 close yet quite distinct bangs (BaaaBaaaaaam).
And as far as the Bergen/Litton is concerned, if you have Spotify, you can listen to it here, at 3:02 (https://open.spotify.com/album/6X0mPDJZyHIkD04ZpS88od?highlight=spotify:track:02RaqcEMp1K2tKjiWPIiz3).
And let me apologize for my poor and primitive musical vocabulary, I’m not a musician myself.
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Fabulous Fabien
Thanks for the link to the Litton/Bergen on Spotify.
I see what you mean. It does sound like two distinct kablammos (Disclaimer: “kablammos” may not be an actual word).
The score definitely shows only one kablammo, so I don’t know why you and I would hear two. It’s odd. Maybe the orchestra isn’t all that together, with the boys and girls in the band not all playing at the same time. Who knows?
Yours mystifiedly,
Peteresque.
PS: You musical vocabulary is fine. I have no trouble understanding it. I think a word like “BaaaBaaaaaam” is a perfectly reasonable one to use.
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Hey Peter cobber,
“The score definitely shows only one kablammo, so I don’t know why you and I would hear two. It’s odd.”
It is odd indeed, to the point that it really distracted me in the BIS recording the first few times I heard it. It gets better in time (or does it ?).
“Maybe the orchestra isn’t all that together, with the boys and girls in the band not all playing at the same time. Who knows?”
I guess it could be so. That’s really puzzling me. Can’t help thinking it’s deliberate. But what’d be the point then ?
“PS: You musical vocabulary is fine. I have no trouble understanding it. I think a word like “BaaaBaaaaaam” is a perfectly reasonable one to use.”
You’re too kind. I don’t know whether or not “kablammo” exists as a word (yet I’ve checked and seen entries on the web, for the singular form at least), but I’m pretty sure “BaaaBaaaaaam” does not. And never will. (Second thoughts: perhaps it did during Prehistoric time ?)
Yours reassuringly,
Fabien “I Am The Law”
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I have that Litton BIS recording. Never noticed that issue. Oh well, it is still in my top 5.
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Excellent.
(Note to Self: Buy the Litton/Bergen CD as soon as you can, Peter.)
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I like this recording a lot too, notwithstanding this kablammo extravaganza. Top 5 material for me indeed, although I’ve yet to listen to many (many !) more versions.
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I watched the “Edward Gardner, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, 2017” on YouTube. I’m not a person that understands orchestras like an expert would, but I found the concert stunning.. a few parts gave me goosebumps.
I looked up your favorite CD and enjoy it very much. I’m 59 years old and never heard The Planets. I guess one is never too old to learn. What a beautiful work Holst made.
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Howdy, dsonyay
I’m glad you liked the Gardner YouTube performance. It’s fabulous that a heap of young people can tackle a work as difficult as The Planets and come through with flying colours.
Thanks for taking the time to visit this ol’ blog. And you’re right: You’re never too old to learn. There are still plenty of works that I haven’t heard yet.
Oh, and in a nice coincidence, I’m also 59. Hello, fellow 59-er!
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Thank you for this herculean effort. I have a few recordings on vinyl, Boult, Stokowski, Sargent and Karajan (VPO) but found your site after I spotted the Hurst / Bournemouth recording in a local charity shop and was weighing up whether to invest £2 in a copy. I think you have swung it for me, so thank you.
Have you listened to much else by Holst ? As much as I like the planets, I do prefer some of his other works, and I rather regret that he’s mostly remembered only for The Planet Suite, rather than Hammersmith, Beni Mora, The Evening Watch, the two Suites for Military Band, the Hymn to Jesus, the Choral Hymns to Rig Veda or , for me , his best, the Seven Part Songs. Some of these have only one or maybe two recordings available.
Thanks again
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Hi, Jonathan
Thanks for the compliments. They’re mighty appreciated.
That charity shop Bournemouth Planets is well worth grabbing.
Ah, vinyl. I remember the days. I used to have a vinyl collection, but when the ultra-convenience of CDs came along I sold my vinyl collection to feed my growing CD addiction.
As for non-Planets Holst, I’ve heard a fair amount. I have a 6-CD compilation called Gustav Holst: The Collector’s Edition and a 2-CD compilation called The Essential Holst.
My favourite work by Holst that isn’t The Planets is the St. Paul’s Suite. I also love Beni Mora.
And the Seven Part-Songs are charming.
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sell cds for a streaming account?
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Yowser, Perry
“sell cds for a streaming account?”
Never!
CDs have a couple of advantages over streaming…
One of the things I really like about CDs is that when you buy one, you get an actual thing, something you can hold and look at.
Also, CD sound quality is mighty fine, a heap better than the (for me) low-bitrate-MP3 that is streaming. I know there are places like Qobuz that offer lossless streaming, but they don’t have much of a range of music to offer.
I’m aware of the disadvantage of CDs in that they take up shelf space, but I’m OK with that. I like seeing all those Planets CDs lined up on the shelf.
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Hello.
I’m a really new listener of Holst, The Planets and I’m looking for a good rendition of the symphony to my ears. I don’t know a thing at all in orchestration or classical music, but, by listening to different versions thanks to YouTube, I noticed a few differences. I basically focus on Mars.
– Karajan (Berliner), n 66 here, sounds too slow, not punchy enough.
– I bought the Rattle version, n 40 here, but the volume is a little low, and the sound lacks of punch too, I find it weak. I don’t know how to explain.
– I listened to a version of Mars I like but the origin of the recording is not precise: https://youtu.be/Isic2Z2e2xs. I think it’s from Levine (the copyright sends to it). and this version is the one I prefer.
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Hi, Gil
The more you listen, you the more you will hear differences.
I agree about the Karajan / Berlin Planets. It’s not very good.
The Rattle / Philharmonia, however, is a recording I like.
I think you’re right about the “Mars” in that video being Levine.
This is the Levine “Mars”:
I’ve listened to the “Mars” in your link and the one in my link, and I can’t hear a difference. So I’d say the one you heard is definitely the Levine.
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Have you ever heard Tomita “The Planets” I have listened to quite a few renditions and I like this the best.
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Howdy, Perry
I’ve heard the Tomita Planets, but only once. It was fun. I might revisit it some time (like today, maybe).
Thanks for reminding me of the existence of the Tomita Planets, O’ Perry.
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Peter.
Thanks for the prompt reply, and thanks for this website. Before I came to Peter’s Planets, I would buy any versions of the Planets that I found reasonably priced, not knowing how good or bad they were. Your list now pre-warns me which is the wheat and which is the chaff. Unsurprisingly I will still buy the duff versions because after all they are still THE PLANETS. I have about 20 versions to date, and yes, I always thought my Dutoit one to be the best version, this site confirms just that!
I first heard Mars about 60 years ago during a drama lesson at my junior school, at the time it was the most terrifying thing I had ever heard. I wish I knew which version I heard that day. The school has long gone, and no doubt most of the teachers, but I can see and feel them everytime I hear Mars.
Thank you for this site.
P.S. Only yesterday I bought another release of the Dutoit, the Classic FM version with the swirly cover, mint condition for the princely sum of £1.
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Stuart!
I’m glad you’ve gotten into the habit of buying Planets CDs whenever you see them. Welcome to my world.
As for your junior school experience, a young mind would have been mightily affected by “Mars”. It’s an intense piece, and I can imagine a wee nipper sitting there, listening to it and thinking, “I want to go home!”
And the Classic FM Dutoit Planets for £1? Bargain!
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Hi Peter, or should I say “G’day mate”.
Yes Mars definitely left an indelible mark on my young brain. I hear bits of it everywhere, as fan of rock music too, I have heard it in the music of King Crimson ( Devil’s triangle ), Led Zeppelin ( Dazed and Confused live version) and several Hawkwind tracks to name a few.
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Yes indeedy.
King Crimson – “The Devil’s Triangle” (1970)
https://youtu.be/aCQ_S-HY7qM
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Covered by Barry Manilow ?
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I hope so.
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Paavo Jaavi, Cincinnati SO on TELARC gets top recommendation from the BBC Building A Library / Record/Review Podcast in 2014. It’s on my shopping list. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02tmns7
My current favourite is Yoel Levi, Atlanta SO.
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Howdy, Rich
I listened to that podcast with interest. I got so interested that I ended up transcribing it.
You can find the transcription (coupled with the original broadcast) here:
https://tinyurl.com/2hbv7au3
I’m glad the Levi Planets is your favourite. Vive la différence!
By the way, if you’re interested in hearing the Järvi Planets send me an email and I can help you out.
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It’s interesting to hear the different performances that the various critics place at the top of their lists. For instance, we have this BBC podcast from 2014 that rates Jaavi top dog yet it only makes number 45 on Pete’s chart. The Planets also featured on the BBC’s “building a library” in September 2003, and on that occasion Yoel Levi/Atanta Symphony came out tops with John Eliot Gardiner/Philharmonia runner up. These are numbers 27 and 55 respectively on Pete’s list.
Does this mean that somebody’s got it around their neck somehow? Of course not. The Planets is a fantastic suite of music and like a single malt, there are so many to choose from. And as with the single malt my favourite is always the next one!
Happy listening.
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Hi Peter,
I’ve come across this recording of The Planets on YouTube, from the RSO Ljubljana conducted by Marko Munih.
I don’t think that it’s ever had a physical CD release, so it seems to be easiest to listen to it on YouTube rather than signing up to a streaming service.
It looks to have been recorded all the way back in 1991 and avoided being released until 2016.
I was pleasantly surprised by it. Nicely recorded, nicely paced, sufficient zip and pizzazz where needed, and overall a really consistent Planets.
Interested to hear your thoughts!
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Yowser, Christian
Thanks for letting me know about the Munih Planets. I’ll have a listen and…
I. “Mars, the Bringer of War”
You’re right. “Mars” zips along, and it’s quite enjoyable. There’s a little “oops” moment from a trumpet playing sharp at 1:44, but it’s not a deal-breaker. The first orchestral “splat”, at 3:11, was a little limp. However, I’m enjoying this “Mars” overall. At 4:17 there’s an oddity: I don’t know if the orchestra was hesitant or it was poor editing, but there’s a bit of a gap before the band starts playing again. At 4:57 a horn plays a bit too long, which was a little odd. There’s some dodgy ensemble playing at 6:08, but it’s momentary.
All in all, a good “Mars”.
II. “Venus, the Bringer of Peace”
A nice “Venus”. It doesn’t dawdle, which is refreshing. I’m enjoying this performance of “Venus” more than the performance of “Mars”.
III. “Mercury, the Winged Messenger”
This is a good “Mercury”. The triangle sounds weird in the right channel (0:49-1:05), but that doesn’t detract too much from a fine “Mercury”.
IV. “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity”
A cheerful “Jupiter”. Not much to complain about here. (Well, a trumpet has some trouble from 0:57-1:01, and there’s an embarrassing moment at 1:04.) The recording quality isn’t as good as it was for the first three movements (especially “Venus”). Maybe this “Jupiter” was recorded on a different day to the other movements. The Big Tune (3:08-5:23) is nicely played.
V. “Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age”
I’m enjoying the start of this “Saturn” very much. As it progresses, I’m beginning to think this is the best performance of all the movements. This is a no-nonsense “Saturn”. Unfortunately, the organ at the end (starting at 6:36) is underpowered. I always look forward to the organ at the end of “Saturn”, but here it’s buried in the mix. Ah well. To make up for that underwhelming organ, the very end of “Saturn” (8:17 onwards) is wonderful.
VI. “Uranus, the Magician”
A good “Uranus”, despite the horns slipping up at 1:30, and the piccolos having some trouble at 2:54.
VII. “Neptune, the Mystic”
Very nice. This is another no-nonsense performance, and “Neptune” is all the better for it, I reckon. There’s some iffy intonation at 2:21, but it’s minor and doesn’t stop me enjoying this movement. From 4:38-4:52 the horn in the right channel is hesitant at the end of each phrase, but again it’s minor. Unfortunately, the choir just isn’t up to the task. There are intonation problems everywhere, and the ensemble singing is all over the place. A pity, because I was enjoying this “Neptune”.
Summary For The Busy Executive:
Taken in total, this Munih Planets is, for me, better than average. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s not bad at all. (That last sentence had two negatives in it. Shouldn’t they cancel each other out?)
***
Incidentally, I looked on Discogs, the website that lists just about everything that’s ever been released, but this release was nowhere to be found.
I also looked on eBay for the Munih CD but nothing came up. But I did find this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-PLANETS-GUSTAV-HOLST-SYMPHONY-ORCHESTRA-AUDIO-CD/173383881441
It’s the Adrian Leaper 1988 version (reviewed here), but the thing I found most interesting is that this particular CD was released by AstraZeneca (a.k.a. the vaccination people). Weird.
But back to the Munih Planets…
It’s available as a download from Presto Classical:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8429415–holst-the-planets
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I have just finished cataloguing my Planets collection (so that I don’t repeat the mistake of buying versions that I already own!). In doing so I included a field where I entered its number on Peter’s list. Then I found that one of them was missing off the list so I did some investigating (well just a little bit).
I did a search for Sir Adrian Boult and it threw up 47 Andre Previn. What’s that got to do with Sir Adrian? Reading through the text of that entry I see a reference to Sir Mr Boult having recorded The planets FIVE times. He actually recorded it SIX times and that sixth one (well actually it was the fifth time he recorded it) is the 1973 recording with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Choral Society, 28 years after he first recorded it with BBCSO.
It was issued as the cover CD on BBC Music Magazine Vol. 21 No. 10 and there are still pre-owned copies of the CD available on eBay. Peter, if you do get a chance to hear it, I’d be interested to learn where you would place it in the list – just so that I can complete my catalogue entry!!
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Howdy, Dick
You’re referring to this Boulty Baby:
https://www.discogs.com/Holst-Beethoven-BBC-Symphony-Orchestra-Ji%C5%99%C3%AD-B%C4%9Blohl%C3%A1vek-Sir-Adrian-Boult-The-Planets-Piano-Concer/release/4686045
I have it, but haven’t gotten around to reviewing it yet.
I’m in two minds about reviewing that particular recording, because on the one hand it is a CD of The Planets, but on the other it’s a non-commercial recording, i.e., it wasn’t released by a record label.
Decisions, decisions…
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Ah well, I can’t stand looking at this blank space in my database so I’ll just have to call it number 84 for the time being and hope that you make the right decision in the end. Just think, it would be another step towards getting that list to a magical 100!
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Throughout the pandemic, I’ve slowly expanded my collection of The Planets recordings, a process which has—given the quality of your reviews!—been greatly simplified simply by seeking them out in order, supplemented with an additional odd finding… one of which arrived today. It is a November 3–4, 1994 recording of Frederick Fennell conducting the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.
Have you, by chance, heard this version? I am enjoying it (so far, at least! there was a very nice transition from Venus to Mercury a moment ago), but the number of unique recordings to have caressed my ears is still in the low double-digits, and I’d appreciate whatever comparative insights your review might provide.
(Also, I debated a bit about how to shelve these; my initial thoughts varied between alphabetical by conductor, and sequentially by your own rankings, but I ultimately settled on a strictly chronological order, for whatever that’s worth.)
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Howdy, MDB
I haven’t heard the Fennell recording of The Planets. The main reason is that it’s not the full orchestral version of The Planets, it’s a wind band arrangement. My reviews are for the full orchestral version only.
However, I’ll have a listen to it and let you know what I think.
As for arranging your Planets recordings, I’m thoroughly in the “by composer” camp. I think that sorting them chronologically would be a nightmare, because if you wanted to listen to a particular recording you’d have to remember when it was recorded. Remembering the dates of all the recordings would take far more brain power than I currently possess.
Anyway, I’ve found the Fennell/Tokyo Planets on YouTube. I’ll start listening shortly. (In my best Adam West Batman voice: “To the Internets!”)
Update: I’ll add to this comment as I go.
The Planets, Op. 32 – I. Mars, the Bringer of War (Frederick Fennell, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
I’m enjoying it. I’m missing the mass of strings in the original, but the music is moving along at a nice clip. Overall, it’s a little underpowered. Nothing beats the original for menace.
The Planets, Op. 32 – II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace (Frederick Fennell, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
This arrangement of “Venus” is lovely. Again, I miss the strings, but this is much more successful an arrangement than the one for “Mars”.
The Planets, Op. 32 – III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger (Frederick Fennell, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
This is fun.
The Planets, Op. 32 – IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (Frederick Fennell, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
Arrangement-wise, this is pretty close to the original. And it’s well-played. The Big Tune is a little slower than I’d like, but it’s nice.
The Planets, Op.. 32 – V. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age (Frederick Fennell, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
This is effectively arranged and played well. Very “old-agey”. (4:42: Oops.) I wonder how the arrangement is going to cope with the lack of the cosmic organ at the end. 6:21: No organ at all, and nothing to replace it. Ah well. There’s something playing that’s very quiet that could be taken as the organ replacement, but I’m not sure.
The Planets, Op.. 32 – VI. Uranus, the Magician (Frederick Fennell, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
Hooray! A brass fanfare at the start that doesn’t blow me out of my seat after “Saturn”. (It usually does in the orchestral version.) This wind arrangement suits “Uranus”.
The Planets, Op.. 32 – VII. Neptune, the Mystic (Frederick Fennell, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
Now for the big test: to see how ethereal this “Neptune” can be. it starts off well, but the intonation from 0:52-0:54 is a mess. However, the rest of “Neptune” goes off without a hitch. And retaining the women’s voices in the piece was a good idea.
And that’s what I thought of that performance of The Planets (albeit briefly).
Here’s the Discogs entry for the album, in case anyone wants to find out more:
https://www.discogs.com/Tokyo-Kosei-Wind-Orchestra-Frederick-Fennell-The-Planets/release/14908856
I won’t be buying it anytime soon, because it’s mighty pricey.
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Thank you! I quite enjoyed it, as a whole, as well as a different experience, and will definitely keep it in my collection. (I didn’t realize quite how pricey this one was though, because I’d spotted the album listed on eBay for a double sawbuck and merely watched it… then the seller offered me a Buy-It-Now price that knocked a fin off the total, with free shipping.)
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Excellent, MDB.
Living here in Australia, I’ve never heard the terms “double sawbuck” or “fin”, but the optimist in me thinks they’re good things.
In any case, you now have a mighty fine Planets recording. Excelsior!
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As regards filing copies of The Planets, and for what it’s worth, I order mine by date recorded but also maintain a simple Excel spreadsheet cataloguing details of conductor, orchestra, recording date, release date, label and my own rating of the performance. If you file by conductor and want to search for a specific orchestra (or vice versa) you have a problem. A basic spreadsheet/database gives you a fully searchable option to help find the version you want. Just remember to file them in the same order that they appear on your spreadsheet!
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I file my Planets recordings by conductor. I never remember the recording dates, but I have no trouble with the conductor’s name. My entire music collection is contained in MediaMonkey.
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Pierre Boulez and Chicago Symphony Orchestra?
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Ignore. I somehow always end up confusing Planets with Zarathustra. Don’t ask why. I just do.
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Thanks for this mouth-watering list, Peter. I grew up with Stokowski’s ‘56 LP, which I’m glad to see you rate highly.
On your recommendation, I recently bought your No.2 choice, the Ozawa. One word: WOW!
It’s overwhelming, perfectly paced, sonically glorious, the dynamics beautifully caught. I will underestimate Ozawa no longer.
No wonder you rate it so highly!
Best wishes, Kale
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Howdy, Kale
You can’t go wrong with Stoki (unless you’re averse to conductors tinkering with scores), but I’m glad you got the Ozawa. It’s criminally underknown. I’ll fly the flag for Seiji as often as possible. He’s one of my favourite conductors. His Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet is my favourite version of that ballet, and his Mahler Symphony 1 is fabulous, not to mention a glorious Respighi Ancient Airs and Dances.
I’ll stop talking about Ozawa shortly (if I don’t, this comment will be too long), but before I do I want to put in a good word for his 8-CD set of various recordings with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I’m currently listening to it, and it’s excellent.
All hail Ozawa!
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Peter ~ I have a CD of Vaughan Williams’ symphonies 4 & 6 conducted by Mitropoulos (4) and Stokowski (6). It’s somehow surprisingly good. Btw, you can soon see my review of the Ozawa Planets on Amazon UK ~ I have the edition with the ‘cosmic’cover art.
Kale
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That Vaughan Williams symphonies disc will be this one.
According to that Discogs entry, they’re both mono recordings. I’m a monophobe, so I won’t be seeking out that recording anytime soon. But I’d be interested to hear how Stoki tackles Vaughan Williams. (I’m having a hard time imagining him conducting RVW.)
I’m looking forward to your expanded thoughts on the Ozawa Planets over at Amazon.co.uk.
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One of the best things about the Ozawa is the recording itself, and the perfect audibility of the dynamics ~ loud is loud but not distorted, quiet is easily audible. Also, I imagine the piece was new to some of the players, allowing a fresh, unpremeditated sense of discovery.
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Hello, I’ve been searching for a royalty free version of Saturn, and in my search I came across this impressive list. So first of all I just want to say great work on listening and compiling all of these, but what I most want to say is to ask you, who seems to be more than a professional on the subject, which of the earlier Saturn recordings (i.e public domain) are the highest quality? Thank you.
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Hi, Charlie
As far as I’m aware, there is only one public domain recording of The Planets. It’s by The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include “Saturn”.
Anyway, here it is:
https://opengameart.org/content/holst-the-planets-suite
I’m afraid I can’t help with “Saturn” except for suggesting you zoom on over to eBay or Amazon and buy a cheap copy of The Planets. There are plenty available.
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Thanks
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Dear Peter, I’ve just finished my blog’s entry about The Planets (http://ipromesisposi.blogspot.com/). Of course, it’s sad commentaries pale facing your encyclopedic knowledge (and great sense of humour) concerning its discography. But… I’ve added a link which shares 97 lossless recordings of TP. Maybe you can find a disc or two that you still do not know. If so, it will be a pleasure to have been able to help your terrific cause.
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Thanks, Ipromesisposi. You’ve provided an invaluable resource for lovers of The Planets.
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unfortunately the list wasn’t updated since several years. anyway, still an important web address.
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You’re quite right, Hans. I haven’t added a review in a few years. Until I buy another Planets CD and review it, I’ll leave the list here as an archive.
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Maybe also relevant for some “Planets” recordings :
Hymisher Greenburg
Profile:
Classical music conductor. actually alias of Alfred Scholz, used for cheap editions.
Aliases:
Alberto Delande, Alberto Lizzio, Alexander von Pitamic, Alfred Scholz, Alfredo Di Piccola, Anton Nanut (2), Cesare Cantieri, Christian Reiner (2), Daniel Berkovsky, David Blackside, Denis Zsoltay, Denise Cloutier, Dragomir Divisek, Ernesto Delgado, Eugen Duvier, Francesco Macci, Francis Deans, Gérard Von Lahrish, Hans Rudolf (2), Hans Swarowsky (2), Hans Zanotelli (2), Hanspeter Gmür (2), Helmut Bucher, Henry Adolph, Jan Kavarovik, Julian Armstrong, Karel Brazda, Kurt Capec, Laurence Siegel, Leo Albert, Leo Gruber (2), Loic Bertrand, Neil Austin, Paul Rostard, Paul Theissen (2), Peter Stern, Pieter van Zeyck, Robert Hala, Robert Nagel (4), Rudolf Pribil, Serge Tchaikov, Sidney Lark, Sven Bengtson, Urs Schneider (3), Victor De Stradelli, Vladimir Petroschoff, Wilhelm Hertz, William Hanson
Variations:
Viewing All | Hymisher Greenburg
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The plot thickens.
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no actualisations since more than 10 years :(
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Sorry about that, Max.
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Hi. I am a film producer who is seeking to purchase film rights to some recording of The Planets (TP) for a writer-director who is working on an animated sci-fi project. I’d like ask you a question (and no, I’m not seeking legal advice or anything like that.) Based on your knowledge of the recordings of TP, can you point me to musical libraries which specifically have a recording or recordings of TP for sale? If you’d rather not get involved, no problem and thank you for the web site.
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Howdy, Doug.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how to get permission to use excerpts from The Planets. I’ve had a quick look on the Internet, and this looked helpful:
https://unison.audio/how-to-get-permission-to-use-a-song/
I’m guessing that for a record company an excerpt from classical music would be considered “a song”.
Sorry I can’t be of more use. All I can suggest is to find a recording you like, and contact the record label responsible for it.
Good luck!
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Thank you for replying and no problem. I’m investigating this purchase of rights for the first time and it’s quite complicated. FYI – It isn’t just ‘film rights’ or rights to use a piece of music in a film. there are actually different kinds of rights and you have to buy them all. I probably should use a lawyer but we’re low budget film makers so we tend to do it all ourselves. :)
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To try something as seemingly straightforward as getting the rights to put recorded music into a film seems to be a major pain in the posterior.
On behalf of you and everyone else associated with the film: Grrr!
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The Planets has been out of copyright since 2004 (in Europe, anyway). If you can find a recording that is in the public domain, you are free to use it. This may be a better option for a low budget film. There is one example here:
https://opengameart.org/content/holst-the-planets-suite
You could also get someone to produce a synthesized version, using MIDI sequencing or whatever.
You may be better off finding a legal forum to discuss music copyrights, as this is not an issue specific to the Planets!
As an aside, Hans Zimmer was sued by the Holst Foundation for allegedly copying large parts of “Mars” for the battle scene in the 2000 film “Gladiator”. The Planets was still in copyright at the time. A settlement was reached out of court with no details ever made public. Now the work is out of copyright, this is no longer an issue; you only need to worry about the copyright of the particular recording you are using.
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Thanks for the info, Jonathan.
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http://imslpforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=81
But your mileage will vary… I suspect the above is 1/2 true… the sheet music is fine but each recording might be subject to copy rights? Maybe reaching out to a low(er) cost publisher like Naxos for permission?
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Thank you. I will check out Naxos and see what they can do.
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That’s correct, there are two copyrights: for the original composition, and for any sound recordings of the work. The former has expired. Unfortunately, the copyright on recordings in Europe was extended from 50 to 70 years ten years ago, so you would have to find a version recorded before 1952. The exception is if the copyright holder has released the recording into the public domain, as with the military band version I linked. You can also record it yourself, which will probably mean a synthesiser, unless you have an orchestra to hand!
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Weird I did find a “free” one but I don’t think is very good quality (mp3 ~45 minutes 44mbs) I haven’t listened to playing quality..’
https://imslp.org/wiki/The_Planets%2C_Op.32_(Holst%2C_Gustav)
This site seems to have some free scores as well…
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Frank,
Thanks. I’ll take a look.
Doug
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At 43.20 MB (as opposed to about 200 MB for a CD rip to lossless FLAC), that’s going to be moderately atrocious sound quality. But I’ll download the MP3 and have a listen.
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Here’s the file:
http://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/c/cc/IMSLP473859-PMLP33488-Holst_Planets_Calgary_2015_Aug_9.mp3
I’m listening to it now. It’s actually not that bad, quality-wise.
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I was looking through the CDs in my local charity shop yesterday and found both the Hilary Davan Wetton version and Sir Adrian Boult 1973 Proms recording for £1 each. When I got home I checked your list and was pleased to see they are both reasonably rare recordings. I haven’t listened to them yet.
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Bargain!
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Do you plan on reviewing the new recording with Daniel Harding and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks? It runs almost 57 minutes so I’m curious to hear your take on it.
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Howdy, Neil. I do want to review the Harding Planets recording sometime. (Which reminds me that I still haven’t reviewed the Gardner Planets from 2017.)
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Hello Peter!
I’m a recently-retired Texas & Colorado band director/music professor (42 years in teaching – a sax/dbl reed major with degrees in Music Ed, Conducting, Woodwind Pedagogy & Musicology. I became an ardent Holst fan as we played his “First Suite in Eflat” in my own HS band (1976), & our terrific director played a movement of “The Planets” every day as we were learing “First Suite.” He had gotten a pair of Klipschorn speakers placed in the back corners of our large band room, with slightly smaller Klipsch speakers on chains raised into the upper corners of the front of the room (2 decades later, I also bought Klipsch speakers for our band/orch halls, though we could not afford the Klipschorns!). My mom was a semi-pro vilinist with The National Symphony in Washington DC during WW2 and after for a few years. She had bought a nice collection of LPs of classical music – mostly orchestral across all genres. My older sis had a pop/rock collection, but would never let me touch her stuff as I was growing up. I asked my Mom if I could listen to her records, & she said, “Of course!” That got me hooked on classical music by age 10 (though I had bought soe Simon & Garfunkle & Elton John LPs myself). I found more enjoyment in listening to Mom’s collection). But when our high school band director played “Mars,” “Jupiter” & “Uranus” over those Klipsch Quad speakers at full volume at age 14, I was hooked!! He just grinned to us as Holst’s music played. After the second day, I went with friends to an LP shop & bought the Bernstein/NY album & wore it out.
I got onto your blog a few years ago, but never returned (too busy) until today – was reading “Montazedian & Murphy’s Blog about their belief Holst intended for his “Planets” to be, yes, an astrological “mood picture” of the planets Holst depicted, but that they believe his “moods” were also a description of Holst’s own “life jouney.” At the end of “Uranus,” their footnotes indicate the only orchestra which interpreted Holst’s ffff dynamic markings was by the fairly rare Georgian Festival Orchestra recording w Jahni Mardjani, conducting. I found it on Spotify, & listened to “Uranus” just to see how he interpreted the ffff “shreik with the glissandi” at the end. YES! It was a shreik, perhaps in volume as Holst had wanted. But British sensibilities, certainly in the Edwardian Era, I doubt Holst would have been too pleased with the pitch! But, yes, as you & others have noted, the acoustics are poor (way too live of recording in an empty hall), but also with many out-of-tune brass & woodwinds marring the performance.
I’m retired now, but starting to get back to some arranging & composition which was just not consistent during most all of my teaching years. I’ve never done a Blog, but if I had, it would have been yours. THANK YOU for the enjoyable (and less-so, I bet!) hours you’ve spent listening & making of your List. I do have 25 or so on my Spotify Holst playlist – I much like the Kansas City Symphony’s performance (2019 Michael Stern). I’m going to go down your list a bit every week!!
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Another YouTube find.. not sure if this ever made it to cd/dvd/br?
Holst The Planets with Professor Brian Cox
https://youtu.be/kAMwWrL-edA
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Yowser, Frank.
The video: https://youtu.be/kAMwWrL-edA
According to Classical Source, it’s “100 Years of Holst’s The Planets, presented by Professor Brian Cox, with BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ben Gernon”.
I’ve had a look around the Interwebs, but can’t find a release for it in any format.
Anyway, thanks for letting me know about the video.
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Dear Peter, coming back to your list I am listening after some time again to Sargent’s recording from “1958”. It’s in the Warner ICON Box (18 CDs) issued 2014 and there the recording dates are given: 12th of August and 2nd and 3d of September 1957 (!). Remarkable sound for this time given by EMI. Some Callas recordings at this time were produced still in mono! The hall helps: it’s Kingsway Hall, what a wonderful venue! I fully understand that the performance is rated so highly by you. Gorgeous atmosphere.
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Peter, thanks for writing all these reviews and ranking all the recordings. I’ve long been a fan of the 1971 Mehta/Los Angeles recording, but haven’t heard many others. Thanks to you, I bought the Dutoit/Montreal recording today and I’m very impressed with it. Dutoit’s “Saturn” is amazing; it has a certain gravitas that Mehta couldn’t reach. I’ll be listening to a few more of your upper-rank entries soon.
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Thanks, Craig.
As good as the Mehta is (and it is good), there are other more impressive/satisfying/better-recorded Planets recordings out there. (But Mehta’s brass section in his Planets should be singled out for absolute fabulousness.)
Onward and upward!
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