Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op. 32Performed by the Royal Philharmonic OrchestraConducted by Andrè PrevinGustav Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer known for his orchestral suite The Planets. Holst began his journey into the world of music as a young pianist. His father, Adolph Holst, was an accomplished pianist and wanted Gustav to be able to play like him. Gustav, however, was suffering from neuritis which made it difficult for him to play for long hours. As Gustav got older, he began trying to compose music instead. Gustav failed to get scholarships to any college, and his father, after hearing one of Gustav's operettas in a small town, borrowed money to pay for his college. Gustav's influences were pieces such as Götterdämmerung and Wagner's Tristan and Isolode, as well as Bach's Mass in B minor in his younger years. He began playing the trombone when his neuritis became unbearable. Things began to improve for Holst during his college years. He won a scholarship to continue studying at the Royal College of Music. He conducted for the Hammersmith Socialist Choir, where he met his wife Isobel. Due to his success on the trombone he left the Royal College of Music for the Carl Rosa Opera Company. He began to compose more music, however, none of it had any success. He became a teacher and musical director, but was starting to suffer from depression in his life. He traveled to many places in search of inspiration. In 1913, Holst toured Spain with the astrologer Clifford Bax. Bax introduced Holst to the wonders of astrology. Holst began to have some interest in astrology and theosophy. The supposed precursor to The Planets is Alan Leo's book "The Art of Syntheis". The names of Leo's chapters in the books seem to have inspired the names of Holst's movements in The P...... middle of paper ......and when they come together as it is the first time in the whole symphony to hear something like that. The chorus rises against single notes played on the harp. The upper woodwinds return as the chorus fades out but returns again and remains until the end of the piece. Bibliography/Discography Holst, Gustav. (1916). The planets. London: Boosey & Hawkes.IlaryRhineKlange. (2011, October 1). Gustav Holst - The Planets, op. 32 [Video files]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHVsszW7Nds.Leelasiri, Kanokrut. (June 2001). An analysis of The Planets by Gustav Holst (Doctoral thesis). Retrieved from http://scholarworks.csun.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.2/2158/LeelasiriKanokrut2001.pdf?sequence=1.Taylor, Kenric. (February 27, 1996). A biography of Gustav Holst. Gustav Holst (1874-1934). Retrieved November 16, 2013, from http://www.gustavholst.info/.