I have probably heard them all. In terms of readings most tend to play Jupiter far too quickly as if it's a race to get to the end. I have for many years favored the Dutoit and Susskind versions and give the nod to Walter Susskind for an almost perfect version and AMAZING conics. Sonically Previn's is marvelous but a flawed interpretation. Opinions?
The EMI Boult. The Dutoit is my favorite from the digital era. I'm also fond of Bernstein, Steinberg and Haitink. Among others.
Agree on Steinberg and Dutoit. And I also like this one a lot: http://www.discogs.com/Gustav-Holst...imon-Gustav-Holst-The-Planets/release/4991043
Have any of you heard the version put out by Mobile Fidelity on LP? Your opinion on the sonics and interpretation? Thank you.
Malcolm Sargeant Stokowski Boult Westminster LP,EMI stereo,HMV/RCA 78 Herbert von Karajan on Decca/London In sort of that order.
I was fortunate to be at the MSO/ Dutoit recording sessions in St. Eustache (outside Montreal)...and at end of the day I'd go home and listen to my VanKarajan recording on DGG....after the sessions i approached Dutoit and told him that he had a "winner" here. He smiled and thanked me for my comments....maybe I am partial to that recording because I was there...but since then I've auditioned many recordings and the MSO/Dutoit is still tops in my ears. A bit of trivia here... They recorded the last movement first due to the availability of the chorus members.
The Dutoit recording was the first I heard and is still my go to version. Am curious though to hear what the best sounding release (on cd) of this particular recording might be. Also Boult's last recording is really great. Have it on a cd coupled with a equally great Elgar's Enigma Variations.
Still no mention of Andre Previn conducting London Symphony Orchestra on EMI? That's my favourite, and it's recorded very well. There's another recording with Previn and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Telarc but I've never heard it.
Boult, either the Vienna State Opera Orchestra or New Philharmonia Orchestra recordings. I like the slower pace.
I have most of the previous mentioned copies, but my all time favorite is the Bernstein NY Philharmonic SQ quad pressing. I love it.
Look for the one with The London Philharmonic.That's the mono Westminster verision.I'm just spinning it again.It's a winner.
The 1956 Boult recorded by Pye/Nixa issued in the USA on Westminster is my favorite. Alas, mono only.
Has anyone heard the Bernard Herrmann version on Phase 4? It has historically received bad reviews. I wonder if it is as bad as some have said. He tended to conduct at slower tempos during this, um, phase of his career.
I have this but I didn't like it very much. It's been ages but I don't remember why. Memory tells me that it lacks energy.
I can't say much about the interpretation, but the sound of the MFSL UHQR "The Planets" is volcanic hell.
Two other very fine recordings that weren't mentioned is the Levine/CSO and Gardiner/Philharmonia both on DG, and they are both sonically spectacular. A very interesting but less known recording is Davis with the BPO on Philips, which noteworthy for its very warm and natural sonics (and of course the orchestra), less for Davis' conducting which is OK but pretty ordinary. But musically, I think that Boult on EMI is the greatest. I absolutely love his slower then usual tempos on Mars and Jupiter.
There's one by Patrick Gleeson on synthesizers: http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Po...id=1415287156&sr=8-6&keywords=patrick+gleeson
Sir Adrian Boult/New Philharmonia, the 1966 EMI recording. The later (1978) Boult recording has opulent sound, but the performance is more laboured. Magnificent thing.
There's a lot more to Holst than just 'The Planets'. In terms of genius and technical ability there's almost no-one to top him. Despite his massive modesty and refusal to compromise or play to anyone's gallery, he knew it. If you love The Planets you should at least also hear: The Perfect Fool (The ballet music, stunning fireworks with an ice-cool centre section) Egdon Heath (late, Thomas Hardy inspired piece, an earthbound, bleak, but nonetheless riveting piece) The Hymn Of Jesus (Hugely mystical choral piece, the man at the peak of his powers) Beni Mora (early period Moroccan inspired three piece suite, very much on the path to The Planets) Psalm 86 (beautiful early-music inspired setting with incredible dynamics) Boult's Decca recordings of the first two from the late 1950's are definitive. 'Beni Mora' was done beautifully for Lyrita on this essential disc:
My favorite is the Zubin Mehta/Los Angeles Philharmonic version. I can't quite put my finger on why but that's the one for me.
