Search - Gustav Holst, Sir Andrew Davis, BBC Symphony Orchestra :: Holst: The Planets; Egdon Heath

Wow perfect performances

R. Rockwell | Brooklyn, NY USA | 08/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Should be everyone's first choice

I must thank the people at the Rough Guide or never would have gotten to listen to Holst`s two orchestral masterpieces as they should be heard by the impassioned reading of Andrew Davis leading the BBC symphony orchestra. Other recordings I have of the Planets are good in certain movements and not others .This recording is a total triumph from start to finish. Mars is appropriately military. Venus the bringer of Peace brought tears to my eyes .Mercury the winged messenger is one of my favorite pars is beautifully performed. Jupiter the bringer of Jollity is quite brilliantly performed and left me breathless in admiration of Holst and the conductor. Saturn the bringer of old age is chilling. Uranus the magician is a sort of scherzo. Neptune the mystic is famous for its wordless chorus also brought tears to my eyes. I really believe that I never heard The Planets before hearing this which is one of the best Cds in my collection. I immediately played it again.

The fact that this recording also contains a version of Egdon Heath which was named after and deducted to Thomas Hardy site of many of his novels are situated makes this a top choice. Egdon Heath like Hardy's novels is filled with pessimism mixed with moments of pastoral beauty is the best version I have ever The fact tnat it is so inexpensive it's a sin not to buy

Please excuse typos I have a neurologic disease.

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