Author: Lino Knocke
ca. 2 minutes
Mankind has always been fascinated by outer space – even Gustav Holst could not escape its spell. The English composer found a source of artistic inspiration in astrology, and was particularly fascinated by the characteristics attributed to the planets and their purported influence on the signs of the zodiac. In his best-known work, “The Planets”, Holst set the alleged astrological characteristics of seven celestial bodies in our solar system to music. The result is a planetary character study that also captures human traits in sound. A brief profile
Mars: The bringer of war
As the ruling planet of the first sign of the zodiac, Aries, Mars stands for courage, willpower and endurance, but also aggression and destruction. Holst opens his suite accordingly: Militaristic rhythms run relentlessly through the movement. Harsh wind fanfares, thundering timpani and pointed string statements create a martial soundscape and imply the destruction that will follow.
Venus: The bringer of peace
After war comes peace. Venus, the ruler of the zodiac signs Taurus and Libra, symbolises harmony, sensuality and reconciliation. Holst’s musical portrait of Venus is full of gentleness. Flutes, horns and strings merge with the delicate sounds of the harp and the shimmering celeste, radiating an ethereal calm.
Mercury: The winged messenger
Nimble, clever, agile – the Roman god Mercury is associated with agility, communication and ingenuity. In Holst’s suite, the ruler of Gemini and Virgo presents himself in the form of a scherzo full of mischief and skill. Shimmering melodies are carried by fleet strings and nimble woodwinds, with shifting time-signatures creating an dynamic of instability and forward motion. In this, the shortest of the seven movements, we hear the mercurial nature of the heavenly messenger, a winged whirlwind, constantly delivering messages.
Jupiter: The bringer of jollity
Holst’s Jupiter is a jubilant hymn to life. Majestic fanfares alternate with dancing, folk-like themes. The optimistic character of Sagittarius’s ruling planet is underlined by the festive sounds of the glockenspiel and tambourine.
Saturn: The bringer of old age
Perhaps the most profound movement of the suite is dedicated to the ringed planet. Astrologically, the ruler of Capricorn symbolises discipline, patience and transience. The ticking of a clock is heard in the steady rhythms; ponderous steps can be heard advancing. Low wind instruments, chimes and double basses create an atmosphere of pensiveness and melancholy. Finally, a sublime, conciliatory harmony emerges from this dark soundscape – a musical expression of acceptance?
Uranus: The Magician
Associated with renewal, upheaval and inventiveness, Uranus recalls an unpredictable game. Holst interweaves elements of a scherzo erratically with passages of march music in this movement; powerful winds and timpani alternate with mysterious, percussive accents on xylophones. This atmospheric mixture of witches’ dance and grotesque circus brings both excitement and eccentricity to the suite.
Neptune: The mystic
A numinous finale: Neptune, ruler of Pisces, symbolises spirituality and intuition. Holst creates the last movement of his suite in dense, floating harmonies that merge into a shimmering, gently undulating wash of sound. Instead of a readily-identifiable motif, a female choir, positioned invisibly behind the stage, brings a wordless song into the rapturous mix.