Listening Guide: Holst's The Planets - Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age

Animateur Paul Rissmann presents a listening guide to the fifth movement of Holst's 'The Planets' suite, entitled "Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age".
Holst's The Planets is the inspiration behind the Philharmonia Orchestra's pioneering digital installation Universe of Sound. For more information on the project, please visit www.universeofsound.co.uk

[@SpaceOdyssey56]

I've always interpreted the explosive part of Saturn to be about the sudden realization that old age has finally caught up with us, and the serenity of the end of the movement to mean eventual acceptance.

[@colinnolan2212]

Or how, over time, time seems to increase in speed.

[@needleboy17]

@@colinnolan2212 As if there was a time machine.

[@vinesthemonkey]

pretty conventional interpretation

[@tobinluto]

Great observation, that's how I've always viewed it. Can't think of a better word to describe the final section than 'serenity'.

[@JMaldonado64]

This is such a profound music. It's relevant, emotional, and moving. It will still be alive many centuries or thousands of years in the future, long after we have dissapeared.

[@SoCalFreelance]

The opening double bass is what grabs me every time, I just want to be enveloped in it.

[@robertschirmii3369]

They cut off literally the best part of the piece at the end. Where is resolves into that unbelievably serene sounding chord

[@69way3Emp]

And the part just before the mentioned "explosion" where the brass and the cellos play kind of interlocking chords. That's one of my favourite parts.

[@StatiKISnakE]

A beautiful C Minor 7th resolving into an E minor chord

[@googleisretarded7618]

I'm enjoying these videos. I wish you'd commented on the strange and mysterious resolution at the ending of the piece. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

[@r.branswell9742]

I always hear this one in three parts, the first is evocative of a large pendulum on a grandfather clock marking the passage of time, but the setting is ominous and it is alerting us to impending doom. The second part begins like a march but it is a solitary march, heavy and laboured as if every step is harder than the one before. It makes me think of someone climbing a hill with a failing heart. This is followed by what sounds like the chaos and violence of death vacillating between the person's final steps and funeral bells until the funeral bells dominate. And now to your comment on the mysterious resolution at the end. The lightness and beauty at the end evokes the soul being freed of the body as it rises upward, leaving the funeral, the church, and the world far below. Beautiful.

[@d.martin7692]

My #1 hit from this album. Inspiring.

[@gabe6495]

Such a beautiful piece

[@skulldar]

I love orcheetra, it's so magical , i really hope to learn a lot and be able to play in one some day

[@joshroberts3808]

It reminds me of a certain jedi's rise and fall...

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

Yes. Anakin Skywalker. His fall from grace was one of the most important.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Get involved in our #popupplanets! We want to see you playing your favourite extract of Holst's The Planets and you have a chance to win a pair of tickets to our concert in London on Saturday 1 Oct: th-cam.com/video/9UY29P2CW1o/w-d-xo.html

[@Racerdew]

just fantastic

[@Teladian2]

no discussion on the extended instruments that he uses either. The Alto Flute (wrongly called bass flute by Holst), Bass Oboe, Tenor Tuba, Organ..... These are just as interesting as the music itself

[@sanstheskeleton2023]

It's not wrong. That was the terminology of the day, because the bigger bass flute in C hadn't been invented yet. What is wrong with Bass Oboe? Do you prefer Hautbois Baryton? Tenor Tuba is the proper alternate name of the Euphonium. And what qualms do you have for the term 'Organ?'

[@play3r.wav.]

​@@sanstheskeleton2023 it's not that there's anything wrong, it's that they're not talked about enough

[@NiPaVou]

Beautiful music, very nice and interesting guide.

[@edricena6702]

Amazing

[@JH-lr3ep]

I interprete the "exploding bells" part of Saturn as the victim feeling that time is mocking him or her.
Time (the clock movement) stops in the last sequence. I think it means the victim moved into heaven or paradise.

[@tonybarde2572]

This represents our fear of the unknown

[@rdubugnon]

and what about the Bass oboe, mate ?

[@kenwilliams8067]

I agree with other comments about how this analysis is an example of coitus interruptus… it stops just as it approaches the incredible spiritual climax… wth???

[@santiagomiranda7888]

I’m I the only one who recognized this intro from Alien Isolation main menu.

[@Desmondhia]

I know this song because today during music my music teacher showed us this video!!!

[@carodavis24]

hi rms kids if ur reading this it’s caroline

[@aghaanantyab]

saturn is the most beautiful planet on our solar system.. why did you not make it pretty, sublime, and reverberating music by composing on major lydian chords progression with still bass played in tremolo along with timpani. i think it could be good. trombone would also make it more dramatic

[@richardhembree5784]

What do you mean? Have you heard the ending of the movement? It's easily the most most beautiful part of the whole piece.

[@karenkrothwise]

Perhaps you should write something better if you don't approve of Holst's magnificent offering.

[@ionianmusic]

because Gustav Holst wanted to. no further explanation needed.

[@emmceeee]

Mr. Holst is not taking questions presently... 🪐