Search - The Hallé Orchestra :: Holst: The Planets, Matthews: Pluto

Aaron A. from VIRGINIA BCH, VA
Reviewed on 4/5/2012...

Very well done. Holst himself would be proud of this edition. Be alone where you won't be distracted and just let this album take you away...

Includes new "Pluto" movement

Bruce Gray | Shenandoah Valley, VA, USA | 12/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've always enjoyed recordings of Holst's "The Planets" - the quick intensity of "Mercury" - the lush romanticism of "Venus" - the battle frenzy of "Mars" - the majesty of "Jupiter" - and all the rest. And this is one of the better renditions of those numbers available.But I've always wondered what Holst might have thought of "Pluto" - until this recording. Holst gave us classical interpretations of the planets as though they were gods - an interpretation that was held by those who gave the Planets their names. Holst's interpretations of Mars as the Bringer of War and Jupiter as the Bringer of Joy have always been some of my favorite Holst works. The Halle Orchestra, under the baton of Lyn Fletcher, give one of the more memorable performances of "The Planets" that I can remember - and then add to it by introducing us to Colin Matthews' "Pluto - Bringer of Renewal"."Pluto" was composed by Colin Matthews and performed for the first time for this album. In acutality, it adds a sense of coming around in a circle to "The Planets". The echoes of the other numbers of Holst's masterwork make this a fine addition to the classical music library.In addition, this album contains the rarely heard "Lyric Movement" - a chorus for Viola and small orchestra that was one of Holst's last works.A fine addition to any classical library."