Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op. 32Performed by the Royal Philharmonic OrchestraConducted by Andrè PrevinGustav Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer well known for his orchestral suite The Planets. Holst began his journey into the musical world as a young pianist. His father, Adolph Holst, was a talented pianist who wanted Gustav to succeed in playing like him. Gustav, however, suffered from neuritis which made it difficult to play for long hours. As Gustav grew older, he began trying to compose music. Gustav was unable to obtain scholarships to any college and his father, after hearing one of Gustav's operettas in a small town, borrowed money to pay for his education. Gustav's influences were pieces such as Wagner's Götterdämmerung and 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 his studies at the Royal College of Music. He conducted 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, but none was successful. He became a teacher and musical director but began to sink into depression. 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 became interested in astrology and theosophy. The supposed precursor to Planets is Alan Leo's book "The Art of Syntheis". Leo's chapter names in the books seem to have inspired the names of Holst's moves in The P...... middle of paper ......e when they join in since it's the first time in the whole symphony to hear something like that. The chorus rises to single notes played by the harp. The upper woodwinds return as the chorus fades but return and remain until the very end of the piece.Bibliography/DiscographyHolst, Gustav. (1916). The planets. London: Boosey & Hawkes.IlaryRhineKlange. (October 1, 2011). Gustav Holst - The Planets, Op. 32 [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHVsszW7Nds.Leelasiri, Kanokrut. (June 2001). An analysis of the planets of Gustav Holst (doctoral dissertation). 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). Accessed November 16, 2013 from http://www.gustavholst.info/.