Gustav Holst - The Planets Op.32 Mercury, the Winged Messeng

[EBE246]

The conductors face kind of reminds me of Dr Michio Kaku. :P

[denimchick00]

Which orchestra is this?

[languidflower]

Epic Pose at 1:46

[Freeskier475]

this song makes me want to watch a steven spielberg movie for some reason!

[Towmotorseth]

@Freeskier475 i agree! you can tell john williams was heavily inspired by this suite : )

[Freeskier475]

@Towmotorseth glad to know theres someone who agrees with me haha. i love this and john williams!

[Fordrasyle]

Oh, Mercury! <3

[LamelyShane]

one of my favorites :)

[dbringen1]

"I am that merry wanderer of the night!"

This piece is so overlooked.

[emanh2222]

1:02 is my fav part

[araneaestone]

always a pleasure to listen to

[eameece]

The planets is based on astrological descriptions of the planets. In the case of the inner planets Mercury, Venus and Mars, these descriptions are somewhat similar to the descriptions of the mythical Roman gods, but they diverge from the myths as you move further out to Jupiter and beyond.

[duckshroom]

Nice video. Who is the conductor, and what orchestra is this?

[tapixt]

GAH. SO COOL.

[fliss69]

I'm sorry Guyrightbehindyou, but I can't believe how deluded you are. This is racist. Why did you have to mention what they look like? Who really gives a stuff what they look like when we are listening to sublime music like this?

Away from this - BBC4 showed a wonderful documentary about Holst last weekend (and incidentally he was someone who would have shown scorn at someone being so flippant about other cultures)

[Seach94]

thta nice, this sound reminds me alot of something like space, universe and stuff

[jesusfrk007v]

@Seach94 haha no duh its called sturn for a reason:P

[Seach94]

@jesusfrk007v haha, nevermind i would put this song in a vid with sometheing like star wars or maybe masseffect in :D

[jesusfrk007v]

@Seach94 haha that makes more sense(X

[msirull]

Go go go you little Messenger spacecraft! And hopefully the media will be smart enough to play this wonderful piece of music in the background when they start showing the Mercury pics!

[warrior30114]

@msirull I whole heatedly agree! :)

Every mission to a planet deserves these wonderful pieces to be played as their intros. Imagine if Mar's - Bringer of War were played back during the Mariner missions of even the more recent Spirit and Opportunity missions?

[johnlunney]

Love this.

[dbrockbassoon]

Great performance, and nice to see the bass oboe actually being used, and I can hear the timbre. :D Great contra at the end. :D

[drgabrielsoileau]

Where's venus? I bet they play it wonderfully!

[Linu86]

Epic !!!

[masternudist]

I dream of THE PLANET.

[TheGuyRightBehindYou]

I don't want to be racist, but do some of the players look like super advanced japanese robots?

[MrFishy5]

@TheGuyRightBehindYou yes

[blackninja14]

@TheGuyRightBehindYou definitely racist XDDDDDD

[TheGuyRightBehindYou]

@blackninja14

Its positive racism tho

[jatroup12]

@TheGuyRightBehindYou You're both wrong, it's not racism, not even positive racism. It's just your observation which may be right or wrong or it may just be from your perspective. People have become so race concious and most people are so afraid to mention race IN ANY CONTEXT, that when people do mention it, some people think "It must be racist"

[tapixt]

@TheGuyRightBehindYou lol you're right.

And in response to the debate: Yeah. Sure. It is racist. But they didn't intend it to be hurtful. It's actually a funny compliment in a way.

Does everything that even vaguely points out a certain ethnicity HAVE to be automatically marked out as racist? It's so stupid. It should just be a way to describe people.

[FunnyAshCapricorn]

Wow, what professionals!

[pro0glenn]

The bells/xylophone sound like a phone ringing.

[toadyalfred]

For anyone interested in drum corps, The Cavaliers did a fantastic rendition of this suite in 95'. youtube.com/watch?v=R-WrOgPZcC­0

[rainbowdragon131065]

This timing by this conductor is fantastic, Bravo :))

[segould]

The double bassoon made my day!

[perioikoi26]

I looked everywhere, but i can't found Venus from this orchestra (Is that the right English word?)... Is there somebody who knows the Venus one, ore didn't they play that..

[calamitycelt]

I really like all the music for the planets! i really enjoy classical music

[smartcooky99]

Easy to see why John  Williams was so inspired by this when writing the score for the original Star Wars. Ep IV

[betokkikke]

Yeh! Great sound, too!!!

[5wanseajak]

Gustav is the Pink Floyd of his day !!

[althganur]

@5wanseajak well said^^

[phillper0906]

Ah, happy days of when I used to go to Laserium at the Planetarium in London in the late '70s. This and Neptune were used at the time as part of the show.

[spunkbunny23]

I like whoever was running the camera on this video. They focus on each person when they have a solo. I like knowing exactly what instrument is playing.

[katrushamarusha]

umm..hi i don't know much about this suite..but is this the order.. Mercury Venus (Earth?) Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune (Pluto?).. .. I'm not sure about Pluto, was it discovered before Holst finished his suite? Thanking you in advance, if you answer..x

[ecksbawchz4000]

@katrushamarusha Actually the correct order is

Mars

Venus

Mercury

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

There was no song for Earth, and Pluto was discovered a few years after the suite as a whole was completed and performed. Holst didn't feel like writing it as he didn't end up liking this suite because it distracted people from his other works. Holst died four years after the discovery of Pluto

[Reichsfuhrer1979]

@ecksbawchz4000

And Pluto is not a planet anyway, so no harm done.

[ecksbawchz4000]

1:45 - 2:00 is the best part of the song in my opinion

[seegyeah]

I don't know how he does it, but the conductor makes the Nancy Pelosi hair cut look kinda cool :D!

[Korgon2013]

@seegyeah Pelosi is never cool Punch yourself in the face.

[classicalnut1]

i absolutely love the planets suite. it was very richly orchestrated with a glittering brilliance in some parts, and with mammoth military strength in others. i am intruiged that it includes a bass oboe, and even an alto flute! so cool.

[heerogunkenobi]

what orchestra is that is it the new japan philharmonic

[FlowerPUA]

Yeah he looks like Michio Kaku, is there nothing that brew cant do?

[IamN0Thappy]

I love to wacth them play!!!

[riskytakr0]

Who's conducting? Reminds me Seiji Ozawa.

[flippingdaisyburgers]

That's because it is him!

[rainbowdragon131065]

I wish they would come and perform this in my car park for me, They are fantastic

[styegsy]

the conductor has the same hair as the late great dave allen

[turggleton]

lol great stuff but this conductor cracks me up in all these videos

[jorgealbertobaron]

OBRA MAESTRA DE HOLST

[CarpeDiem121892]

what is that oboe-resembling instrument with the curved neck?

[day313]

an english horn

[0o0o0RoBiN0o0o]

the 1st one showed in the beggening is a bass oboe they also have an english horn too which is way smaller than the bass oboe :)

[coinmagic]

@CarpeDiem121892 Basoon I think!!

[arabiannights2]

my best guess would be a bass oboe

[CharlieBladeRemus]

Yes, it is a bass oboe. And FYI, it's actually called a bocal instead of a neck. :)

[mikeg888]

Holst was heavily influenced by mysticism and The Planets is his wonderful tribute to astronomy, astrology and the mystic arts and sciences. I can listen to this all day , every day. Like one responder wrote for 'Saturn'

"This is the music God listens to".

How perfectly put!

[TheMikester307]

Wow! Thanks for the close ups of the players! I love this music!

[gorodchia]

"Classical music and (the better) metal music play the same notes". Stop you "meal music".

[Bigfishlittlepond]

Metal has a tendency to be based solely on aggression because the ferocity appeals to a more rebellious generation. However, the technical ability required to play more complex metal music results in many songs in the genre being masterpieces, even in terms of the beauty you search for in classical.

[Bigfishlittlepond]

What was the last metal song you listened to. I play in an orchestra. It's not like I know nothing about classical music. I understand you may well have heard some really bad metal songs, because I have too, but it seems to me like you're assuming what I'm saying is wrong because, put simply, you don't know enough about the topic.

Lai Lai Hei-Ensiferum

Everytime I die-Children of Bodom

Deliverance-Opeth

Octavarium-Dream Theater

Educate yourself.

[jackwaldron324]

It's not what notes you play and how fast you play them that makes you a great musician... It's the ability to craft a piece that truly makes your work excellent.

[arcataberry]

it's not the craft or technique only that make a 'work excellent' it's the music's ability to inspire, allow us to transcend. Pink Floyd comes to mind.

[hannnahhhah]

Yay to the contrabassoon solo at the end!

[seizetheday224]

I loved how holst not only based the symphony on the actual planets, but on the mythical gods they were named after. I think that's SO cool!

[7enlightenedtemplar7]

I awesomly totally agree

[Goliath131]

@seizetheday224 agreed, absolutely!

[chilly444]

@seizetheday224 well in that time there was no difference, the planets WERE the gods and the gods were the planets.

[jjbaybay2014]

@seizetheday224 It is basiced on both...

[cateran0101]

@seizetheday224

if you do your research its not about the roman gods but rather astrological meaning of the plants. Gustav Holst was an astronomer and wrote the planets about the mystical meaning of the planets and NOT their roman associations.

"The concept of the work is astrological rather than astronomical (which is why Earth is not included): each movement is intended to convey ideas and emotions associated with the influence of the planets on the psyche, not the Roman deities."

[grametes]

@cateran0101

I find it interesting how you seem to think you yourself know this man's motives. Since you can't get inside Holst's brain its fair to say that no one is really totally sure what it was about these planets that inspired him.

Wikipedia isn't certainly correct.

[Timrath]

@grametes Wikipedia aside, every source I know of agrees that Holst's source of inspiration was neither mythology or astronomy, but astrology.

Consider this: Is it possible that Holst meant the Roman gods? Yes. Is it possible that he meant the zodiac signs? Also yes. Is the latter more likely than the former? Based on what we know about Holst's beliefs, I think the answer should be obvious.

When probability favours one answer over another, it doesn't make sense to treat both of them as equal.

[lenks0]

@seizetheday224

A fantastic, timeless suite no doubt -- but as a matter of fact, the names aren't based on greek or any mythical gods :)

[hobbitgnr]

@seizetheday224 Sometime, somewhere I read Holst's The Planets Symphony is not based on the mythical gods, just the planets ;D Sorry

[sbuckit]

@hobbitgnr The idea is somewhat the same though, Mars the warrior, Venus the peaceful lady, Jupiter the giant, etc.

[wachi03]

@hobbitgnr but the plantes were named after mythical gods anyway, so anyway

[jwinstopstop]

It is the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

[NickiTherese]

the call and answer between the instruments starting 1:09 is wonderful

*closes eyes*

[majicodemejico]

I agree with you this much { }

I didn't know what to call it but call and answer sounds just right. At any rate it sounds amazing. As a fan of videogame music, especially rpg music, I can tell a lot of inspiration was drawn from Gustav Holst, which is always a good thing.

[ToiToiToiHerrKaleun]

open up your eyes wide fool and not only listen but also behold the visual beauty of what those people are doing.

[ninjastomp77]

LOL

[HoosInDaHowse]

ugh, i really hate playing this one >:(

=D

[Hyardacil]

It sounds absolutely brilliant when played correctly though. All the elements are in perfect use. One of my favorite short symphonic movements ever.

[InTheFlesh177]

Who is this though what orchestra and my favorite is mars too.

[heresmycardjoker]

i thinks its the tokyo symphony

[shuppet34]

Would you rather choice a classical music like this one or do you choose that metal rock junk?

[CharlieBladeRemus]

I'm a metalhead, but I also love classical music. This and "The Rite Of Spring" by Stravinsky are two of my favorite classical pieces. IMO, metal, or ANY of today's music, wouldn't be what it is without classics like this.

[DrizztDoUrden1234567]

Exactly. We wouldn't have lots of different types of metal without classical. We wouldn't have some power metal, doom metal, progressive metal and many more. I am an avid listener to classical music, especially Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Gustav.

[weez1119]

@CharlieBladeRemus

Rite of Spring is EPIC. Good pick. Any symphonies (my favorites - Beethoven 6 and 7, Sibelius 2 and 5, Mahler 1, Shostakovich 5) have, as well, more energy than any music I've heard, expressed in so many ways.

[weez1119]

i've compomised: i enjoy symphonic power metal. ^_^ but i have to say, classical music and instrumentals always come out on top by a little bit. =)

[combuf]

@weez1119

Very much right! I always loved Nightwish, leaves eyes and them, but Classical is where it all began!

[Randalthor993]

@weez1119 Haha your comment made my day. Probably because I'm the same way!

[masternudist]

@weez1119

I LOVE symphonic metal but when I dream, it is of this. I don't know how or why because this is just a guilty pleasure now and then but it still has such a great impact on me.

[spencerphreak]

Don't be a fool, and actually become informed. Classical music and (the better) metal music play the same notes. See Apocalyptica's first 2 albums. Also the Master Of Puppets album, and tell me that doesn't sound classical! Don't be so superior, you just end up sounding more ignorant....

...and that goes also fror the brainless (not the well informed) metalheads that can't think outside just pure speed.

[Gerschwin17]

I love the planets! Mercury is not one of my favorites movements though. I have to go with good ole Mars! :)

[shizzlebro7000]

cant forget jupiter

[thecandyman86]

Neptune!

[elmasguapo]

I Totally Agree

[mutualism]

Certain parts of this piece remind me of the Nutcracker Suite.

[pau1dd]

Mercury has to be one of my favorites...its the only movements that doesn't sound like the apocalypse is underway. lol...love jupiter and Mars too.

[sms2012]

who is the conductor? i think i've seen him before

[CharlieBladeRemus]

Tajiro Iimori

[13irdo]

Can someone please email me the score, I really want to study this piece!! pleease

[sheenalover4eva]

the clarinet player plays weird, he like stuffs up him face. its really weird, does someone know if thats good posture?

[MusicLover494]

he looks okay, he's probably just taking in a lot of air when he breathes.

[sheenalover4eva]

could be. he has a weird sound in the upper octaves. i don't want to brag. but im sure i have a better sound all together. but im sure all of them are better technically. because i have the music for this entire thing. lol but yeah where i live is know for good clarinet players. all the best in the state live where i do lol

[PSiloveyou18]

ugh i hate the ending, the rest was good tho.

[Aseriousfanofmusic]

Why? The ending is the best part!

[jupi08teu04]

バイオリンのソロが一番好きだった♪

[nicedog1]

The strings at 1.58 always remind me of a Hitchcock film.

[54spiritedwill54]

these guys are *good*.

[smartblond92]

Wow... Haha. I was looking at something else on my computer and just listening to this without watching it. At 0:48, I thought my ears started ringing until I glanced back at the video.

[pawils]

paalbr is correct. Jove and Jupiter are different names for the same god. Jovial means "like Jupiter."

[ICosmoI]

It all depends on its context. I could mean either "happy" or "like Jupiter".

[SharpWalkers]

The conductor is hilarious to watch :')

[hppn8]

ahmen brother

[flaash69]

did u know theres morse code in this song

[ICosmoI]

What does it say?

[clayvision]

i like jupiter the best but this is a good one

[elmasguapo]

I Agree

[JenMayHug]

eehhhh.... Mars still rocks

[ReignofFireObsessed]

This song is, in my opinion, best when you're sad... it'll perk you right up!

[bbbiggs]

1:47 is MAGICAL.

[raskyrulo]

wauuuu!! i already think so!!thank you!! and special thanks to sr. Gustav Holst!!

[contrabassoon]

Wonderful!

[MagusJoseph]

This song seems as jovial as Mercury(Hermes) himself!

I rather like this one!

[paalbr]

Actually, "Jovial" means like Jupiter. You meant "Mercurial"?

[MagusJoseph]

What? Oh! No no no.. You misnderstand. By "Jovial" I meant happy and upbeat. I was in no way referring to Jupiter there..

Good catch on the reference though! :-)

[zappasaurus]

I don't think jovial refers to jupiter, just happy. If you meant to reference jupiter you would use Jovian not jovial.

[MagusJoseph]

Bingo!

[CharlieBladeRemus]

Whoa...this is the first time I've DISTINCTLY heard the contrabassoon lick at the end!

[xRinat]

wow their insanely good

[bladebloodykill]

Does anyone know how long that Bass Oboe is? Compared to the standard Oboe and the English Horn?

[cfcantavero]

A Bass Oboe is about double the length of an oboe.

[bladebloodykill]

So it almost touches the floor? Damn that's a big oboe! lol

Thanks.

[vulcan1948]

Can anyone tell me what orchestra this is please.

[bladebloodykill]

Tokyo City Philharmonic, I believe...

[vulcan1948]

Thank you for the reply.I have only just received it as I have been away for a week on holiday.Thanks again.

[bladebloodykill]

This performance is a bit slower than I would have anticipated, seeing as how Mercury is the speedy messenger. But this was a pretty god performance nonetheless.

[VampirePunk101]

Bro, "pretty god performance?" don't you mean "pretty good?" :P lol

[Clorow]

1:32 - 2nd violins, you need to move around in your chair more while playing! XD

[AdioBlackMentality]

basses rule anyway. haha.

[iainetc]

Wowee a bass oboe! Does anyone know its range as i play bassoon and am just curious ;)

(it probably hits the low notes i expect but it won't get the high ones that the bassoon can, still not sure)

[Fatmop]

It's exactly an octave below an Oboe, so it's about an octave above a Bassoon, if you were wondering.

[BlissfulPsychosis]

Are those Oehler or Boehem system clarinets?

[hoogestefan]

Pretty almost symphony orchestras play on Oehler (Albert) system clarinets, so I presume it's Albert System.

[BlissfulPsychosis]

Not true in North America.  But I think you're right.

[BlissfulPsychosis]

And there's a distinct difference between Albert and Ohler.

[su8p]

ok yeah i'm dumb and i'm butting in on your...um comments, but what a symphonic band????????

[CharlieBladeRemus]

A symphonic band...you could say that one takes an orchestra, and puts all the string players on either woodwind or brass. Sometimes there are string bass parts written in symphonic band music, but that's all.

[hoogestefan]

Cello parts become more and more common these days too.

[gullygunz000]

This orchestra has some interesting instrument.

[BlissfulPsychosis]

Those are standard orchestral instruments...

[gullygunz000]

ehh probably

i'm not in an orchestra i've only seen orchestras on youtube i'm only in a symphonic band but there are some instruments i've only seen in this band that i thought were cool

[Clorow]

Some of them aren't - how often do you see Bass Oboes?

[BlissfulPsychosis]

Touché. I forgot all about that. But for the most part, they're all standard orchestral instruments.

[bladebloodykill]

Yeah, and if you look in the videos for Saturn and Neptune (performed by this orchestra), you'll notice another uncommon instrument: the Alto Flute.

[Clorow]

Yeah, I have the score. And Holst erroneously calls it a "Bass Flute in G".

[qaziqasi]

can I have the score?

[ConcertoInEminor]

the full score is on IMSLP

[BlissfulPsychosis]

Not the best performance...But...This is still my favorite movement of the Planets by far. More so than Jupiter or Mars.

[quarterbreed]

I love this piece. It's songs like this that almost make me want to give up tuba to play contrabassoon love it thanks for posting !

[drummer396]

Tuba in 10000000 times better than contrabassoon.

Saying that because of that contrabassoon lick at the end? lol. I don't blame you, ;)