Gustav Holst -

Die Planeten / The Planets

New England Conservatory Chorus
Boston Symphony Orchestra
William Steinberg

Label: Deutsche Grammophon

"The Planets", Op. 32, is a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst, each named after a planet and its corresponding astrological character, written between 1914 and 1916. Each movement of the suite is named after a planet of the Solar System and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst. With the exception of Earth, which is not observed in astrological practice, all the planets are represented.
The idea of the work was suggested to Holst by Clifford Bax, who introduced him to astrology when the two were part of a small group of English artists holidaying in Majorca in the spring of 1913; Holst became quite a devotee of the subject, and liked to cast his friends' horoscopes for fun.

The analogue recording were the foundation for Christoph Stickel’s subtle “refurbishing”. The aim was in no way to interfere artificially. The recordings were merely “rid of noise”.

1 Mars, the Bringer of War (1914)
2 Venus, the Bringer of Peace (1914)
3 Mercury, the Winged Messenger (1916)
4 Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (1914)
5 Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age (1915)
6 Uranus, the Magician (1915)
7 Neptune, the Mystic (1915)

Steinberg creates great excitement in "Jupiter" and elsewhere, and his orchestra is on its toes throughout.
Record Review / David Mellor, Classic FM (London) / 01. April 2004

Holst's "The Planets" gets a well-considered reading . . . The orchestral playing is superb . . .
Record Review / Peter Joelson, Audiophile Audition / 14. June 2012