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

[@YourPerfectDoom]

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

[@whocares_bear]

Of course Holst makes Jupiter - the king of planets - represented by Great Britain. lol

[@joebloggs396]

​​@@whocares_bearIt was made into a hymn later, no influence on Holst. And it's a rousing theme, better than 'Ode to Joy' which has been used for political purposes many times.

[@whocares_bear]

Wow! So that bit from Jupiter was later turned into a hymn. What a high compliment for Holst. It always sounded familiar to me even though I'm American. I probably heard it before like I recently did watching "The Crown".

[@SaphirKnight]

Always gives me goosebumps. Such an amazing song.

[@brampuschel5630]

@@whocares_bearsorry to burst your bubble but the one who put music to the hymn ‘I vow to thee, my country’ was Gustav holst himself

[@Alex_LionComposer]

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!

[@plastique45]

Agreed, and check the Bernstein NY Phil. version, by far THE best version of Saturn ever recorded.

[@alexs25867]

That was what I was thinking too!

[@cyprianbeecroft569]

@@plastique45 James Levine's version also

[@marcusanthonyPOV]

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

[@philipadams5386]

Indeed.

[@GIDIREACTS]

I always take the complicated path lol

[@jennifermorris6848]

Now listen to John Williams. The influences in so many of his compositions is notable and yet he elevates and takes it to new galaxies.

[@skillbomb8823]

@@jennifermorris6848 Certainly he writes some amazing movie soundtracks and was indeed *heaviliy* influenced by those composers before him, but I wouldn't say he elevates any of his influences beyond their innate quality. Just my opinion though.

[@andrewhcit]

@@jennifermorris6848 John Williams actually took ideas from Holst at George Lucas's request. Lucas used movements of The Planets (among other pieces) as temporary tracks for rough cuts of Star Wars: A New Hope, and asked Williams for similar music. The other composer whose fingerprints are all over the Star Wars soundtracks is Wagner. It isn't any specific music Wagner wrote, but Star Wars has some of the most extensive use of the leitmotif technique in film music.

[@andrewhWTL]

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.

[@mysticmouse7261]

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

[@sashakindel3600]

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.

[@michaeldunlap2693]

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

[@BlackSpock135]

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

[@anteb.k.composer1837]

Try Andre Previn!

[@embran8486]

@@anteb.k.composer1837 This! And Jurowski and Rattle. And for Mars the early recording by Vaughan Williams is IMO so good because it being the most menacing. Von Karajan the only one doing a slower tempo (as usual). And so many conductors afterwards follow Von Karajan´s lead.

[@pablodesarasate499]

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

[@carlazaz1690]

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.

[@KenBreadbox]

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.

[@andrewhcit]

In fact this piece is very atypical for Holst. Much of his work (maybe the majority of it?) draws from English folk music.

[@eldertonlewismusic]

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 ✨🎶

[@BlackSpock135]

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

[@whocares_bear]

Yeah, unlike listening to an AC/DC record where all the songs sound the same.

[@txbooklvr]

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.

[@Felix-kz6bu]

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

[@SkyCloudSilence]

Love the thumbnail!

[@riley-dd9pm]

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

[@whocares_bear]

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

[@erick-gd7wo]

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.

[@johndahlen4698]

@erick-gd7wo yes, Karajan's interpretation is top notch!

[@lordmisanthrope1949]

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.

[@cartridgemusic]

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.

[@tfpp1]

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.

[@Walter_Arrecis_Letona]

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.

[@ChadwickMann]

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

[@wolfstrela]

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

[@valentinbouchard125]

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

[@bestpianolpieces]

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

[@joebloggs396]

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

[@OwenMackenzie08]

PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PINES OF ROME OMG

[@pabloporrase]

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

[@lagwulf1637]

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.

[@austinwgentry]

Neptune >>>>>

[@ruramikael]

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

[@avogrid296]

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!

[@aliciadalbey1201]

I thought they close the door

[@cameronmccaie9488]

@@aliciadalbey1201Holst wrote in the original score that the sound was to be repeated until “lost in the distance”. Very cool!

[@lordmisanthrope1949]

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

[@MuescoreMaestro]

The suite actually had little to do with the gods themselves, but more the properties that each planet had in astrology. But it still works for each God, the Female voices were just for a mystical effect.

[@PauGarriga42]

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

[@mgman6000]

Big influence on Star wars

[@OKisNotOkay]

that is the point

[@johndahlen4698]

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. :)

[@DaGuys470]

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.

[@lordmisanthrope1949]

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.

[@eddieandmaxie]

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

[@Tony-xm7fr]

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

[@pepsilays6077]

Honestly its the best recording of the Planets I have ever heard (and I’ve listened to what seems like a hundred lol)

[@debrucey]

@@pepsilays6077 Nothing beats Dutoit-Montreal

[@Alex_LionComposer]

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

[@BlackSpock135]

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

[@noahmatsukihalbur]

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

[@embran8486]

Where do you rank Pluto then?

[@noahmatsukihalbur]

@@embran8486 Pluto isn’t Holst’s work

[@embran8486]

@@noahmatsukihalbur I know. But honestly the ending of Pluto by Colin Matthews has Neptune by Holst vibes. The beginning of course almost atonal so very modern sounding.

[@pabmusic1]

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.

[@dianemitchell1161]

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. 👏👏👏

[@mgman6000]

I agree he is listening with his heart I like what I like and don't have a clue about training and knowledge My tastes over the years run from rock to classical to electronic and now at 78 Heilung I just know what I like

[@aaroncrnkovic1398]

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!

[@castro-kn5wf]

Jupiter is the greatest piece of music ever written

[@disenchantedwanderer9033]

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.

[@andrewhcit]

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.

[@jessemoog5310]

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

[@joshazenbergpercussion]

Saturn will always be my favorite because of the contrast in sections. Slow, bitter, melancholy…. To nostalgic, tranquil and respectful (for lack of better words).

[@BlackSpock135]

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

[@ddiachen]

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.

[@alexs25867]

I noticed that too. I actually performed Mars with my high school strings class (not to brag but we killed it). This rendition fell flat for me.

[@annaolson4828]

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

[@kierancarter5639]

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

[@susansamata3696]

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.

[@pabmusic1]

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'.

[@joseg.matamoros2847]

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

[@cyprianbeecroft569]

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

[@random_user_hmm]

Pls listen to Gustav Holst his Japanese suite

[@BlackSpock135]

Yes combination of xylophone, triangle, and harp

[@geronimo6377]

And a Celesta is part of the orchestra.

[@Philippositivity]

Was HOLST a Printer from London?❤

[@philipadams5386]

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'.

[@ddiachen]

You have your last two reversed. Women's choir in Neptune, Uranus is energetic and dangerous.

[@philipadams5386]

@@ddiachen Thanks!

[@Grabbydabby]

The intro slaps lmoa

[@michaeldunlap2693]

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

[@DaGuys470]

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!

[@nerowolfe5175]

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...

[@m44p25]

My favorite recording as well! I think this recording, of Jupiter specifically, loses a lot of character, it just sounds too fast to me.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

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.

[@071949]

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🎶

[@alexs25867]

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.

[@Chris-ie9um]

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

[@BlackSpock135]

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

[@marygifford9379]

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

[@michaeldunlap2693]

in Jupiter, that's the glockenspiel.

[@michaeldunlap2693]

and tambourine.

[@geronimo6377]

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.

[@whocares_bear]

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.