Episode 6: The Planets by Gustav Holst
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 พ.ค. 2020
- In a galaxy far, far away...a school music teacher called Gustav Holst blew everyone's minds away.
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MUSIC CREDITS:
Composer: Gustav Holst
Work: The Planets, Op.32
Performer: Orchestre symphonique de Montreal
Conductor: Charles Dutoit
Year: 1986
Label: Decca
Catalogue No: 4175532
With thanks to Leander Mangelsdorf for the German subtitles, and Emilia Strachevskaia.
Astrology Venus: peace & feminine beauty
Astronomy Venus: burning hell of acid rains where Sun never shines
haha love this comment!
Good news : if the Venera probes' photos are anything to go by, daylight does reach the surface.
Bad news : ...yeah, it's still an unfathomable sauna with a pressure equivalent to 900 meters under the sea, and 430°C temperatures sufficient to make the aforementioned sulfuric acid rain evaporate.
(ah, and nights are as cold as Mercury's)
it's home sweet home if your life is a burning hell of acid rains
Astrology Venus: peace and feminine beauty!
Astronomy Venus: burnin' hell of acid rains whert' sun don't shine
Well, whether Venus is the goddess or the planet, she is too hot to handle.
I know it's beyond cliche at this point, largely due to John Williams purloining so much from _The Planets_ for his _Star Wars_ score, but I still believe this is one of the most important orchestral works ever written. There's not a single movement that doesn't put me in a state of transcendence so effecting that I dare not listen to it in other than comfort and solitude.
Great comment - thanks
I know what you mean
the soundtrack to The Right Stuff (1983) cribs from Holst as well
Very well said and I agree so much that you put tears in my eyes. I have tears every movement every time I listen. It’s the most incredible and beautiful piece of music I’ve ever heard. That video was great too btw
Please never stop making this videos!
we'll do our best! :) we really don't want to stop
@@ClassicsExplained please do a translation to spanish! Many many more views!
@@ClassicsExplained cool!! :)
*AGREE* the animation is a stroke of genius
@@ClassicsExplained What you mean is subscribe.......so I did.....because I enjoy your videos. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Also, if you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie wipe the seaty.
I have a gig nightmare story about the planets. I performed with a symphony in a hall that didn't have a room for the choir. They decided to have the choir walk away through the wings. There were two problems.
1. The wings went out into the audience area, so they got louder.
2. Many dressed in fancy high heel shoes, even though they weren't visible. The result was a clomping sound like a herd of horses that got louder from the audiences perspective. It was not exactly what Holst was going for. :)
If he can’t make the music about Pluto, but we will do it for him!
Haha...
That is a very 'rock n roll' story :D
When I saw the planets, the choir actually sang in the lobby. So the audience got to see the doors to the lobby close as the piece ended.
@@meganlewis2377 In 2000, Colin Matthews wrote “Pluto, the Renewer.”
Holst became so infatuated with eastern mysticism that he learned Sanskrit and set some verses of the Rig Vada to music ,he also composed a Christmas carol “In the Bleak Midwinter”.
Indeed! There's a great deal more to the composer than The Planets - hope people who don't know much about him will go off and delve deeper into the composer after watching the video :)
Veda not Vada
@@arnavranka4510 I stand corrected thank you 🙏
One of the greatest Christmas carols of all time, the last verse makes my sister and I cry....so moving.
@@KentuckyLiz yes, I just discovered it Christmas 2019 and I swear I was still singing it (badly) 6 months later. In fact....
Gustav's Holst's best achievement is making the theme for every ww2 documentary for the past couple of decades
Most metal classical piece....I'm binging this channel muhaha
Thanks!
*cough* shostakovich *cough*
Toccata and Fugue
@@Ace_of_Empires not good enough that barely makes it
@@solarean Well, I didn't want to burst your bubble, but the only part in Planets is Mars, Jupiter almost. As for Toccata and Fugue, it's not just the first part; the later parts are more metal. It's well known that metal pulls heavily from Baroque music, and Bach was the pinnacle of Baroque, and music for that matter. Give the metal covers a listen.
I think you may be talking about not metal, but just epic or hardcore
I've sung in the Neptune chorus, with the Minnesota Orchestra, and it's really rather tricky. But the worst thing is knowing that the rest of the suite is being played and only getting the muted sound through the walls while you wait.
While the stuff about Holst not wanting to do Pluto is mostly true, I remember reading somewhere that there was a bit more to it than that. Basically, he stated something along the lines at some point, "If you want your piece for Pluto, listen to/perform "Ode to Death". It's good fit. and fits Pluto nicely."
The Blasting Off sequence from Star Wars: literally Mars
My music teacher showed this to the class. Im was absolutely shocked to find put this much quality only had 30k views. Really good job
Mars: Theme song of WWII, played in 1939 when the Germans invaded Poland (When I listen to this piece, I can hear the loud wail of the air raid sirens and the whistling of falling bombs.)
Venus: When the rainstorm is over and the clouds open to reveal the sun
Mercury: Sounds like Peter Pan
Jupiter: I Vow To Thee My Country, played at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales (RIP)
Saturn: An elegy of mystery, suspense and fear of the unknown
Uranus: A festival of curiosity and eccentricity
Neptune: A piece to fall asleep to
I listened to an orchestra play the entirety of The Planets at a live concert, and I felt like I'd traveled through space at the end of it all. Truly some of the most captivating music ever written.
He put the choir in another room!? That is genius! 😍😂😂
*Venus sprawled out, drooling*
Ah, yes. "Heavenly repose"
Venus is kinda sus
More like Heavy Repose than anything
Fun Fact: When I played double bass, I broke a bow while playing Mars during the fortissississimo part. I guess I played loud enough...
Goodness! I'm not surprised though - sure there have been many broken bows over this
Did you say "ffff"
If there's ONE THING I've learned from this, it's that Holst was a MAJOR fanboy.
I love the detail and explanations that you use! I hope that you blow up (like in views/subscribers sort of way not the other kind)
At the "I vow to thee, my country" part in Jupiter, I give my grade 6 (Indonesian) students Kipling's If to read. Afterwards, they're so roused, they want to colonise somewhere.
Well if Holst won’t make a music about the planet Pluto then maybe we should in the memory of Pluto and Gustav Holst himself!
Dang, hope my indonesian school does that
@@Ind0nesiannationalteamgoated Saya di PIK, Jakarta. Kamu dimana?
It brainwashes them. If is such a badass poem
Saya di tangerang selatan
4:11 not only is Glockenspiel there, but the Celesta is as well! (I'm unsure if that was in the original version but I often see those in performances)
6:00 Yeah we can easily tell that through Saturn he loves using strange harmonies. I was once playing Saturn on piano, and there are 4-note chords with the strangest combinations of notes!
I personaly think Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter are the best ones entertainmentwise.
Also your videos are actually entertaining, so I subbed. Keep up the gr8 work!
"Every Day" by Buddy Holly has a nice Celesta passage
Great video! You deserve way more views for this quality. I reccomend posting this on the classical music subreddit, I think they will enjoy this!
Thank you for your feedback and recommendation! Will do!
Thanks for opening my eyes and ears to the inspirations which Holst had, and I'd offer a few more: Mars and Stravinsky is not difficult, in Venus I can hear e.g. some Ravel, of Mercury I'm not sure, Jupiter's beginning reminds of Stravinsky's Petrouchka while much of Jupiter's "Englishness" is reminiscent of Elgar. Schönberg (in Saturn) is probably less well-known, and I also didn't know of Debussy's choir (Neptune).
But what bugs me the most is how blind (or deaf) I've been for many years, not recognizing Dukas' sorcerer's apprentice in Uranus, even though I've even played Dukas myself in an orchestra! It starts with the titles of both pieces, for crying out loud (sorcerer = magician)...
Once you know it, it's blatantly obvious: The staccato dance of the bassoons in the beginning, the dissonant menacing theme, the stumbling tympani, the avantgarde wild harmonies, the long alarm chords at the climax, the wondrous soft conclusion after that. Fortunately Holst omitted the final "butt-kick", that would have been too much ;-)
Thanks so much - great comment
About The Imperial March from Star Wars, there was a little segment from Arnold Bax's first movement of his first symphony that sounds similar to John Williams piece. I guess John was inspired by Bax as well.
Oh that's interesting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Inspired?
They're back!
The Planets is my favorite piece of classical music! I remember playing Mars back in high school and cello with the high school‘s entire orchestra! Holst’s compositions really inspired me to learn music theory and composition! I even find myself using certain aspects of the Planets in my pieces!
5:50
Holy donuts! I am dead!
8:46
The choir just got yeeted into space
Suggestions:
Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain
Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Thanks for the suggestions! One of them is coming in a couple months
@@ClassicsExplained And the other?
What about pastoral symphony?
@@ClassicsExplained Add Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals to the list too, PLEEEEEEEZZZZZ!!!!
@@ClassicsExplained don’t forget Bolero and Pines of Rome!👌
I am an elementary music teacher. I teach The Planets to my 5th grade every May and I LOVE this video. I've watched a few others on your channel and THEY ARE GOLD. I love your use of humor and graphics to explain the history of these pieces and give interesting facts. I also love the sampling you of the pieces you include. PLEASE KEEP MAKING THESE. I'm going to give your channel a shout out on my IG! I Can't wait to see more!
Thanks so much for your comment and support - we will keep making these; just taken a bit of time in last few weeks but we do have more in the pipeline. Stay tuned and keep inspiring our future Mozarts :)
"Get in" ... haha. Loved this, thank you for making it.
Thank YOU for watching!
many a young astronomer were probably inspired by Holst’s The Planets. but when it comes down to it, the music he composed served more as an interpretation of the Greek gods characterization than the planet themselves.
although it could be said that the planets’ names do aptly represent a certain characteristic of their respective god name. Jupiter being the king of the planets and gods, Mars being red, representative of fury and war. Mercury being the fastest god and planet.
I always connected Mars to the Death Star theme but hadn’t heard it’s Imperial March!
Is the Death Star theme the Imperial Attack theme or are they different, because that one is also very reminiscent of Mars too
Mars is the Death Star theme. The Imperial March is Chopin's funeral march. Mars also shows up at the beginning of the movie Gladiator.
As a music and astrology lover, my heart is soaring from this video. Thank you for making this!!
Our pleasure! We certainly learned a lot about astrology writing this
I love this piece! The Jupiter movement is my favorite, especially since I sang the song "I vow to thee, my country" which is based on that movement in my choir.
I cannot tell you how much I love your videos. Thank you for taking the time to explain the background of musical pieces. After hearing them, knowing the history behind makes them million time better. Keep on the AMAZING work
Thank you - we cannot tell you how much we love your comment!
At the beginning the transition from Uranus to Jupiter to Saturn to Mars was insanely smooth
The first time I listened to Jupiter I burst into tears crying, it moved me in a way music has never done before
Gorgeous, isn't it :)
Is the "rite of spring" on the list?
Yes, it is! and will be with you very soon!
@@ClassicsExplained thanks!
@@ClassicsExplained I think you could do a lot with Mahler!
This is charming.
Thank you very much
I can't believe it, a new video. I'm so glad to see you guys again. As well as on a subject that I'm trying to study on. This is some good timing right here.
Was introduced to the piece by Mars, more specifically through the music game Smule. Then the fascination grew when i recognized the idea behind the piece in one of the songs in Hyrule Warriors (video game). Though not a perfect match, it gets surprisingly close, only changing the progression of a note or 2. Now i should probably hear the suite in full, as this video has given me a taste of the scope of the piece.
Thanks for your very interesting comment - and for watching :)
I love learning about the stories behind all my favorite classical pieces 😌😌 do one on Shostakovich plz!!
Thanks so much - and for your suggestion :)
So good. Like, just really top notch. If I complete nothing else today I at least learnt something about this wonderful piece of art.
Thank you! We are so excited to be back and so glad the new video has been received so well!
This is what I’ve been looking for to help understand why classical music is both great and important. Thank you!
Our pleasure!
Youre back! i was sad when i found you and then realized you hadnt posted in forever!
we are back :) and we'll be releasing new videos pretty often now - enjoy!
This is so fantastic. Jupiter was used as the background music of a film that was shown every hour at the North Rim Lodge at the Grand Canyon back in 1974 when I worked there. The title of the film was "Wings in the Canyon" and this music fit the views of the canyon so perfectly, filmed from a small plane. I have loved this music for many years.
Tears. Man, that was really great. Thank you for that. I’ve been using my imagination for that piece for about 25 years now. It’s incredible how close my thoughts about this piece and my imagination was to your video. Again great job and thank you
I always had trouble relating to this piece, I'll have to go back and listen again now that I know more of the context. Thank you so much for posting these! They're wonderful
as did I funnily enough - and then I researched it more and more and making this video made me finally fall in love with it
I am planning on using your videos in my middle school music classes! They are of great quality and funny in a way that I think my students will appreciate!
Thanks so much - really appreciated :)
Brilliant. Ive learnt so much
Great to hear that! Thanks for watching! there will be more videos soon
cool calm and colourful chords. someone likes alliteration too :)
We do try!
Love the Planets.
::Searches for "The Rite of Spring"::
::Finds this channel::
Neat! I don't know much about the ballet itself!
::Sees The Planets in Recommended::
Sure I really like that one too! I'm sure that'll be the end of this dive
::Starts video, sees New Word Symphony in recommended::
Damnit, I was about to go to bed!
That said, New World Symphony is the only that I haven't had the opportunity to see performed in person. It is impossible to record the feeling that happens when a full horn section hits at once like in Mars (though when I saw it, the tympani in [fuck, is it neptune or uranus] was what I was really looking forward to seeing)
The Whole suite gives me Goosebumbs
I know - very ethereal!
This channel is outstandingly beautiful, thank so very much for doing this, hope that next generations continue to value this wonders of music.
Thank you so much - this is music to our ears; hugely appreciate your support
Thank you for these amazing videos!
This is absolutely brilliant! Informative and witty! I love it!
Thank you - cannot tell you how much those words mean to us! Be primed for more vids coming soon
Just discovered this channel today. Instantly became a huge fan! I’ll be sending this to all my friends. These videos are such an excellent way to expose people to important musical works.
This is a very hilarious video. 5:50 made me laugh. "Holy donuts!"
Thanks so much!
These videos bring some of my favorite pieces more meaning and I love them
Your videos make me appreciate these pieces even more!! Thank you so much😇
He was so definitely ahead of his time.
I just rediscovered this series of compositions yesterday. It’s fantastic.
Thanks for watching!
They’re finally back!!!
I’m in total binge! Watching and rewatching this videos and loving it! So smart, so funny so clever! Excellent work! Thanks a trillion !!
You did it again, mates! Very on point.
So very enjoyable - loved the graphics, too !
Please give us some more interpretations of ballets & opera, too.
One of my favorite early 20th century classical pieces!
You guys deserve at least 3MM views for this video!
Yay! Thanks
Thanks!
I love the music matching the narration!
Thanks Benjamin et al! I have watched all of your videos over the recent years, and each of them is a gem. 3:49 your Venus is ....er...uh..... hilarious! Much admiration and appreciation for all of your excellent work.
YESS FINALLY!
PLEASE CONTINUE THE VIDEOS!
Tell your friends then!
Exhilarating compositions a new spiritual renewal every single time I listen to Holst mesmerizing The Planets!
This video is amazing! Thank you!!!
Thanks so much!
This is a phenomenal video. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this lovely comment!
Thank you for explaining this!
Thanks!
Your videos are so good! It's an inspiration
He did so much great music for band. Maybe bands will come back into fashion some days?
Wonderful video. Thanks!
Our please - thanks :)
This is my favourite classics explained episode :D
these are incredible work
Thanks so much!
INCREDIBLE!
Great video!
Thank you - much appreciated :)
This is one of my favorite pieces, thank you so much for making these videos. Beautiful and educational!
Thanks so much! We love it too - keep watching and enjoying and listening :)
I remember one time in orchestra class, I was looking at a Chorale that I have never heard before and started to sight read. As I got to the end, I realized that the chorale I mentioned earlier was the middle section of Jupiter from Gustav Holst’s The Planets!
I think this opus is just so inspiring to film music composers till today..
08:27
the "see you later peeps" got me cracking up
Our marching band plays that one part of mars, AND I START IT. Thank you for explaining the origins of my favorite classical piece
These videos are so great!!!
Thanks so much!
Thanks for letting me know how the history of this piece I love this musical classical stuff because I love the planets too
I’m binge watching these videos!! Love the simple art style and everything
much appreciated!
This video is so funny.
Interesting video - Fantastic piece! Thank you :D
The middle 3 reminds me so much of the 3 ghosts of christmas past, present, and future! (mercury, jupiter, and saturn respectively)
Great video high quality content
Your animations are simply amazing!
Thank you
When I was little that was my favorite symphony, I'm 34 yo and is still my favorite, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune 😻😻😻😎😎😎🔥🔥🔥🔥
Love this comment - it's brilliant isn't it :)
Excellent!!! I like your creative explanations of many of the classical music pieces I like! :)
Thanks so much for the support! And exactly the sort of thing we're aiming for :)
Thanks this is brilliant!
Great video
This is too great 😭😭😭😭
Thank you very much!
This should have more views!!!!
Thanks - glad you enjoyed! Please spread the word :)
Of course, scientists denied Pluto as a planet because it wasn't in Holst's Planets.