Holst: The Planets

Few composers have achieved such success with a single work as Holst with The Planets. Each movement expresses the planet’s supposed astrological character, and the colourful orchestration and memorable melodies ensured its immediate and ongoing popularity. It’s hard to believe now that it was a groundbreaking work – a huge, multi-movement piece that finally fades into ethereal silence as wordless voices disappear into outer space. This rousing performance was conducted by the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Principal Conductor, Vladimir Jurowski.