My Journey Through Space | Gustav Holst: The Planets | Classical Music Reaction 

For most people, this is their intro to classical music. Somehow you've listened to Scriabin and Rautavaara before getting to this. You're journey has been so backwards. lol

Gustav Holst created movie soundtracks... years before movies were created 😆

Neptune is the Roman God of the Sea. The female voices are likely his sea sirens singing to captivate sailors.

What's so cool about the female chorus in Neptune is that they're offstage, and they come in so sneakily! Then, they actually move farther away from the stage as the piece ends. It's chilling!

Fun Fact on Mars: George Lucas used it as a temp track on the opening of Star Wars Episode IV. He liked it so much, he instructed composer John Williams to copy it. And so he did. You can also hear what later became the Stormtrooper Theme in Mars.

Saturn is my personal favourite (Holst's favourite too!). It actually represents a journey, from the fear of death, being overwhelmed and overtaken by fear, then finally learning to accept it and be at peace. Whenever you next give it a listen keep this in mind, I'm sure it'll help you appreciate it even more!

That middle bit of Jupiter is an incredible melody. In England it is sung as a hymn called I Vow To Thee My Country 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Best part of the reaction is at 59:58 in Neptune, where Gidi thinks "did I just hear women's voices"? Yes, you certainly did. But you missed the very first entrance due to how skillfully von Karajan blended them into the instrumentation. I knew that the entry of the female chorus was going to surprise you, and your reaction did not disappoint. :)

The entire make of the orchestra for this pieces calls for 4 flutes (2 flutists sub for Piccolos for certain movements), 3 Oboes (1 oboe subs for a bass oboe for a certain movement), English Horn, 3 Clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, double bassoon, 6 French Horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tenor tuba, 1 bass tuba, 6 timpani between 2 players, 3 percussionists handling the kitchen sink lol (triangle, side drum, tambourine, cymbals, bass drum, gong, bells, glockenspiel), celesta and xylophone (2 players), 2 harps, full organ, double chorus of female voices and then of course 1st and 2nd violins, violas, cellos and basses. Quite a large orchestra.

In mercury, it's the celesta you're hearing, a keyboard instrument that looks like a little piano.

I love how Holst manages to create air imaginations to see the size of the planets with the contrasting lower then higher notes playing off each other. Also, you feel their long orbits in the ethereal music. Just brilliant music. Thank you for the reaction.

These musical portraits actually depict the astrological meaning of the planets. That"s why they are so evocative.

Saturn has always been my favorite. the first part is horrifying and terrified but the second is an absolutely beautiful depiction of the afterlife.

I'm glad you listened to Venus again. Pieces with multiple movements are usually written with the philosophy that the context each movement appears in is important to the way both the movement and the rest of the work that surrounds it comes across. At 20:41 is a celesta, which is the instrument that plays the solo in Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker. The celesta is echoed by harps at 20:43. At 20:58, the rhythm intoned on a single pitch that the violins were playing in the previous bars switches to glockenspiel, which is sometimes also referred to as "bells." Mercury doesn't include a xylophone; there is xylophone in The Planets, but only in Uranus, for example, at 47:26. The celesta and glockenspiel both have metal bars, while the xylophone, which has a much shorter sustain than either of them, has wooden bars. Though I get the impression that more laypeople have heard of the xylophone than the glockenspiel, the xylophone is actually used much less often than the glockenspiel in classical music.

What a performance!!!, Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker are trully out of this world

Ever since I first heard The Planets as a child, Saturn and Uranus have always been my favourites, but I am probably unusual in my tastes. To my imagination, Saturn certainly seemed the piece most representative of travelling in time and space. At school most of the boys voted for Mars and the girls for Venus, but the teacher who played classical music to us each week seemed impressed when I was the only one to say I liked Saturn. He even started lending me his own records, hence my ongoing love for classical music since then. One of the best things that happened for me through all the time at school. Great to share in your journey through space.

That's a Great recording, Van Karajan one of the all Great conductors

Something you might find interesting: Holst came to hate this piece, almost to the point of wishing he'd never composed it. People mistake him for a one-hit wonder because this was such a massive success. There is much more to Holst than this piece.

GIDIIIII YOU FINALLY DID IT!!!! Holst is my favourite, and though I discovered other pieces of his before properly listening to The Planets, it is without doubt his most influential work. I'm gonna grab my popcorn and watch now hahaha

This suite along with Igor Stravinsky and Franz Schreker's works were massive influences on what John Williams would go on to write for Star Wars ✨🎶

Man , I love the Holst Planets , one of my top favorite series of pieces 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

The "Jupiter" theme is the setting for a few Christian hymns, such as O God Beyond all Praising, which is often used in funerals and large-scale events.

You sir, are very underrated. How come 1k people haven't already seen this video? Tbh you deserve more subs and views just saying :D

I played Holst the planets in community orchestra earlier this year on mallet percussion (glockenspiel and xylophone), and I played the Celesta for the first time (on Venus, and the harp part on celesta for Saturn and the ending Uranus). Saturn and Uranus are my favorites, it was fun to learn xylophone part in Uranus and it reminds me of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas. Saturn is so haunting and powerful, and I love the harp and chimes during it. I also love the celesta part in Venus as well. Too bad we didn’t do Mercury or Neptune, but I hope to learn it one day. Check out the Sorcerers Apprentice as well by Paul Dukas, if you haven’t heard it before.

My top planets: 1. Neptune 2. Mars 3. Saturn 4. Jupiter 5. Uranus 6. Venus 7. Mercury It’s so hard to choose though 😢😅

The instrument you were referring to in “Mercury” was the celeste. It’s essentially a mix between a piano and a glockenspiel, or that’s the easiest way to think about it at least. If you know Hedwig’s theme from the Harry Potter soundtrack it’s the same instrument!

Couldn’t wait to watch you hear the voices in Neptune, your face was a picture! I love how held back and gradual that movement is, it’s very restrained and almost bizarre. He sends the listener into a trance with his alien soundscape, genius stuff

Loved your reactions, GIDI. You are so sensitive to and perceptive of the music. You show that true appreciation can be independent of formal training and knowledge. Such a joy to listen to. 👏👏👏

I love all the Planets because they all different and they bring different or highlight qualities, to which I can relate

Jupiter is the greatest piece of music ever written

you should listen to mussorgsky’s pictures at an exhibition!

25:06 that was actually the Celeste, a bell like Keyboard Instrument.

You should listen to Holst’s Fugal Overture. It’s a lesser known piece but its now one of my favs. Also listen to Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony

Fun fact - Gustav Holst (who was English of course) was originally christened Gustavus von Holst. By the time of WW1 he had become Gustav von Holst, and six of the seven movements of The Planets are signed that way. But the last one to be written (Mercury, in 1916) is signed Gustav Holst, because he had dropped the 'von' because it was too German.

Uranus sorta sounds like "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Dukat which was used in the Disney film Fantasia.

Love the thumbnail!

Gidi, I am very pleased, that you like this. Planets is one of my favourites. Please counter listen to the synthesizer version from Isao Tomita.

The direction oin the score for the end of Neptune is that the choir should be offstage, with a door inbetween the stage and the choir. The door should be slowly closed at the end to give a 'fade out'.

Truth be told any trombone solo or soli parts are my favorites as I'm a retired trombonist

Really enjoyed this. I don't think I've ever listened to all of them before! Jupiter may be my favourite, but maybe that's just because I'm most familiar with it. The mystic was very...mystical.

I have Holst Orchestra score for this piece. Mercury uses a glockenspiel, 2 harps and celesta for that movement. Also of note, he uses 2 piccolos and 2 flutes.

My favorite is Venus and Neptune. Of course Mars in Karajan's direction became brutal sounding but it carries the impression of the war so perfectly. While in Venus, Karajan add his personal flair and a bit of romantic making the movement become soooo transcendental. I Neptune, Karajan slowed down the tempo and let the female choir sing without vibrato which sound more haunting.

Oh, this is the one. Alright, time to grab some snacks. OMG, I just noticed you hit 5k. I'm so happy for you, congrats!

I agree with a lot of your opinions, I absolutely love this collection of pieces from Holst. Personally, my rankings are: 1. Jupiter 2. Mars 3. Venus 4. Mercury 5: Neptune 6. Uranus 7. Saturn

My favorite is Jupiter, but I do have affection for Uranus. It walks that perfect balance between wacky and threatening.

The planets are a fantastic piece, and having just found your channel today, I love the journey you’ve gone through so far! I want to help that journey along, as I’m a brass player who knew nothing about orchestra 3 years ago and now have been finding under appreciated works everywhere. Heres my recommendations for next listens: From my playlist of Feelings and beauty : Violin Concerto, Op. 14 by Barber From my playlist of incredible concertos: Tokashi Yoshimatsu’s Saxophone Concerto And from my personal background of British Brass Banding: Other Lives by Oliver Waespi, a work just out this year with incredibly high energy and beautiful melodies

Also , in the Jupiter piece notice when the trumpet plays the melody directly underneath the trombone is playing the counter melody , that's my favorite part

And yes, that tune in Jupiter is used as a church hymn.

Excelente reacción a esta magnífica obra musical, cada uno de los planetas tiene su característica muy especial y Gustav Holst supo interpretarla. Muchas gracias por los subtítulos, bendiciones y saludos desde Ciudad de Guatemala en Centro América.

Yes combination of xylophone, triangle, and harp

This has long been one of my favorite compositions. This is going to probably be a controversial take, but after listening to many recordings and live performances of this over the years, coming back to this one from Berlin and Karajan was a bit of a shock to me. A shock in that it is so clinical, dry, passionless, and downright clunky at times. I've heard those opening bars of Mars sound so viscerally menacing that they raised the hairs on my neck, actually wept during the gorgeous hymn in Jupiter after riding high on the euphoric waves of joy that surround it, felt the raw power of Uranus's magic in that towering opening statement, floated into the void trying to grasp the ephemeral mysteries of Neptune. But this rendition just falls flat for me. It doesn't sound to me like the conductor or orchestra actually care about what they are playing. And that is a very, very rare miss for these titans.

This entire piece (and Venus, in particular) makes me think of retro cover art to sci-fi novels from the 60s & 70s and early 80s.

Let me address your questions. 'Mercury' uses a celeste. It makes the sound of bell/s. Tambourine in 'Jupiter.' Xylophone in 'Neptune'. Tubular bells in 'Saturn' - which is about the inevitability of old age and dying. It creeps up on you. Ultimately, it takes on a terrifying perspective. But it ends in paradise. Neptune is always very energetic and busy, but mischeivous, dangerous and even terrifying at times, but lots of fun too. Women's choir in 'Uranus'.

Playing Holst's Planets last year was one of the biggest highlights of my recent musical life. For me, Uranus was the most fun one to play, and it's normally one of my favorites to listen to. That said -- and I might be biased by my own orchestra's interpretation -- I tend to prefer most of the movement at a much faster tempo than this recording. It really loses the sense of excitement and spectacle when it's played this slowly, and that might be one of the reasons you may not have found it as convincing as other movements.

I suggest you check out Ottorino Respighi's Church Windows and Roman Festivals!

The intro slaps lmoa

If you like Holst, I highly recommend you Saint Saens' Carnival of The Animals.

My top: 1. Jupiter 2. Neptune 3. Venus 4. Uranus 5. Mars 6. Saturn 7. Mercury

In my opinion, Saturn Is about growing old. Especially in the beginning, where it has an ominous foreboding tone which makes you ill at ease. The song starts out slow and quiet, to signify that you don’t fear growing old when you are a young. The song Is barely noticeable in the beginning. The song gradually gains momentum, as the fear of growing old gradually starts to enter your consciousness as you age. Eventually, you hit a point where the panic and dread of old age sets in, which Is where the music gets loud and there Is an undertone of panic in that part. You can almost hear the inevitable march of time leading to your death and you can really feel the dreadful feeling of helplessness in this part. After that, the song tapers off again, as you accept the fact that you are getting old. You then reflect upon your life and your choices/regrets. The song ends with a somewhat peaceful and serene sound, as you gradually drift off into death. In mythology, Saturn Is the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Kronos. In Greek mythology, Kronos was the god of time (it’s where the word chronology comes from). Because of his connection with time, many people in ancient times associated him with old age.

Even though critics often say that Karajan's first recording with the VPO is better than this one, I personally prefer it for it slightly more relaxed pace in Mars. It needs some menace and this one has loads.

Hi Gidi, thank you for reacting to *The Planets*. I think it is an amazing composition; and while "Jupiter" is my fav planet, the entire work is genius. Suggestion: check out a performance of *I Vow to Thee My Country*, which as other commentators have noted, is a portion of Jupiter w/ lyrics. RogerC 9/25/23🎶

Look into some Bruckner pls, 8 is a must listen with Pierre Boulez

If you like MARS I think you will like The Pines of Rome, by Ottorino Respighi....

You don't have to put a foreign accent on Holst's name, he was British born.

PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PINES OF ROME OMG

Pls listen to Gustav Holst his Japanese suite

Könntest du vielleicht auf die Karneval der Tiere von Saint-Saëns Stücke reagieren oder die Peter und der Wolf Stücke von Prokofjew

ok, now watch the opening battle scene of the movie Gladiator. Mars inspired? Not to mention Star Wars

Holst was a master of orchestration and it is a pity that he is a one-hit-wonder. Because some of his other works is as exciting as this one - if not more. The Karajan recording is okay in my opinion but nothing more. There are so lovely live recordings and much more profound characteristic recordings. Sometimes a bit flat, in the next moment way to forte in some groups. Sorry, I am not too convinced by this recording. Glad you liked it though.

in Jupiter, that's the glockenspiel.

Neptune >>>>>

Karajan's Berlin recording of the planets isn't bad, but I always grimace at the strangely crooked chord in the wind/brass instruments at the beginning of "Mars". I don't understand why it wasn't corrected at the time of recording. The many other recordings in which the chord in question sounds clean show that it is not composed that way. In the "Neptune" movement there is also a passage in the trumpets whose intonation is not entirely clear. Other than that, this is a great reaction video and a very good YT channel.

I apologize in advance to anyone who might disagree with me - but the ONLY true recording of this piece is Charles Dutoit/Montreal. I WILL SLAY until I die on this hill. As for Saturn, it's the last planet out that can be seen without a telescope. Since it's so far away, its orbit around the sun seems very slow to us - thus, the slowness of old age. And what is the last day of the week? Why, SATURday, of course - the seventh planet for the seventh day. As for the loud part, I think you're still a bit young to have experienced how life will begin to slam you hard, then harder, then harder...

Not really Karanjan's type of music, there are better recordings.

The Planets have always been my favorite piece by Holst and in my top 50 classical works. 🪐♈♉♊♐♒♓ I'll have to go with Jupiter since it's my sign's ruling planet (Sagittarius) lol I also love Neptune.