G. Holst - The planets Op. 32 - Venus, the Bringer of Peace - Berliner Philharmoniker - H. von Karajan
The Planets, Op. 32, is a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst, 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 (the centre of all yet influentially inert astrologically), all the astrological planets known during the work's composition are represented.
Instrumentation
The work is scored for an exceptionally large orchestra: Woodwind: 4 flutes (3rd doubling 1st piccolo; 4th doubling 2nd piccolo and a "bass flute in G", actually an alto flute), 3 oboes (3rd doubling bass oboe), an English horn, 3 clarinets in B-flat, a bass clarinet in B-flat, 3 bassoons and a contrabassoon Brass: 6 horns in F, 4 trumpets in C, 3 trombones (2 tenor and 1 bass), a "tenor tuba" (euphonium in B-flat) and a bass tuba Keyboards: a celesta, and an organ Percussion: 6 timpani (2 players, 3 drums each except in "Uranus" having 4 drums for 1st and 2 drums for 2nd), a bass drum, a snare drum, cymbals, a triangle, a tam-tam, a tambourine, a glockenspiel, a xylophone, and tubular bells Strings: 2 harps, 1st and 2nd violins, violas, cellos, and double basses Voices: ("Neptune" only), 2 three-part women's choruses (SSA) located in an adjoining room which is to be screened from the audience
The suite has seven movements, each named after a planet and its corresponding astrological character (see Planets in astrology):
1.Mars, the Bringer of War 2.Venus, the Bringer of Peace 3.Mercury, the Winged Messenger 4.Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity 5.Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age 6.Uranus, the Magician 7.Neptune, the Mystic
After the clamour of Mars, Holst brings us the stable, restful sounds of Venus. Peace can only be obtained when the power of Mars has spent it self as depicted in the famous painting by Botticelli. At the opening of the movement there is a tri-tonal horn invocation followed by oscillating winds chords which introduce stability and tranquillity and the violin solo invokes a sweet calmness. Unusually the climax of the work is a cello solo which appears to be a quote from Elgar’s Enigma Variation (var.12) – a work much admired by Holst – reminding us that peace allows friendships to prosper. -Words by Raymond Head
