Holst: The Planets - Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker

[TommyHaegin]

I detest this smug talk by Simon in these video series.

[lewars1912]

I personally feel that objectivity goes out the window whenever Rattle is discussed here in the UK and that most of his admirers have been brainwashed by clever media hype. If he had been, for example, Polish or Hungarian, we would probably never even have heard of him. However he's not the only British conductor who has been vastly overrated here and won't be the last..

[lewars1912]

The Steinberg/Boston Symphony performance of Mars is the most dramatic version I've ever heard. Anyone aware of a more dramatic one I'd be pleased to hear about it.

[bobwen51]

Steinberg/Boston Symphony recording is still the champ, with tempos nearly matching those of Holst's 1926 electrical recording, followed by the Karajan/VPO recording of 1962...especially "Saturn"... those metal hammers on the bells (as Holst requested) still brings chills and will spoil you for all other recordings forever.

[azagthothguitar]

I actually understand very good the english, but, please i think some people need subtitles for this.

AMAZING Sir Simon

[curlyman217]

i don't think i've ever heard a piece that's evoked such specific images in my head!

[jonrellim]

i think this is really the best recording there is of the planets. I'm a very perfectionist listener when it comes to recording qualities. I'm always amazed by the realism and the detail of this recording by berliner philharmoniker. Every istrument has its characteristics as if you were in the concert hall. Especially the celeste and the other percussion instruments in the back.

Its also played perfectly. Bravo Simon Rattle. When i saw this cd i knew i wanted to have it. it's really a special cd

[CharlieBladeRemus]

My mother bought me this CD as a graduation gift, and I'm SOOO glad she did! "The Planets" really renewed my love for classical music!

[bordaz1]

On second thought: let the Wookie win!

[billyguns2]

Very good, but someone should really upload Herbert Von Karajan's Vienna Philharmonic recording; Holst's daughter proclaimed that it was the best performance of her father's work she had ever heard. Boult's recording from Vienna is great, too. Rattle's is the best modern version I've heard, far eclipsing the famous Charles Dutoit recording.

[sfrenchhorn07]

@billyguns2 You should also check out the Steinberg Boston Symphony recording on Deutch Grammophone, Steinberg is another conductor that is very faithful to the printed score.

[billyguns]

@sfrenchhorn07 Thanks for the recommendation. I love Steinberg's recordings; have you heard his awesome ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA from Boston on DG?

[sfrenchhorn07]

@billyguns The recording I have of Steinbergs Planets also has the Recording of Zarathustra your talking about. In another Ironic twist I actually bought the CD not for planets but for the Zarathustra, the fact that both were pretty amazeing was a happy coincidence.

[Watcher3223]

@billyguns2

Von Karajan is always a safe choice. His interpretations are almost always stellar. I'm in search of a recording, either by him or by Sir Adrian Boult.

In contrast, I have a copy of this suite conducted by Leopold Stokowski and performed by the L.A. Philharmonic on the Seraphim label. I HATE IT! While the technical aspect is good (excellent sound quality) the performance itself is woefully sloppy! I couldn't get through listening Mars without cringing with that recording!

[billyguns2]

@Watcher3223 I agree; Leopold Stokowski was a very great conductor who gave us many great recordings, but THE PLANETS is not among them; everyone is entitled to an off day! Boult's Vienna recording is his most exciting, although any Boult PLANETS is good, but the Karajan/VPO is my absolute favorite. Steinberg/BSO is very fine too.

[Watcher3223]

@billyguns2

I kind of wish my cassette copy of "The Planets" by Andre Previn was still good. Though, IMO, a tad rushed in tempo at times (especially on Jupiter), it was a better interpretation than my vinyl copy of same by Stokowski along with superior performances by the LSO and the Ambrosian Singers.

And, as far as I can remember of that recording, Previn's performance of Mars was taut, appropriate considering the piece's context. Stokowski's performance seemed lackadaisical in comparison.

[billyguns2]

@Watcher3223 ANdre Previn is a vastly underrated conductor and a genius musician.

[Watcher3223]

@billyguns2

I just got the Von Karajan version under the London Records label (ffrr, cat. no. CS 6244).

Mars is intense with this one. I wonder how Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune sound.

[Watcher3223]

@billyguns2

Oh, and another thing to add. As usual with Decca recordings, fidelity is beyond reproach. And, I particularly enjoy the thick vinyl pressing (made in England, Decca) compared to the rather flimsy pressing of my Stokowski pressing (made in USA, Capitol).

I've always heard great sound quality from Decca pressings, whether they were made in England or in Holland. IMO, superior even to Polydor pressings made in Germany for Deutsche Grammophon and Archiv Produktion.

[Watcher3223]

@billyguns2

And, I'll definitely keep your recommendation for Herbert Von Karajan by the Vienna Philharmonic in mind as I try to search for a replacement for my vinyl copy of this suite.

I assume that the Karajan version will have been published by Deutsche Grammophone or Archiv Produktion.

Thank you!

[billyguns2]

@Watcher3223 Karajan made two recordings of THE PLANETS: the first one with the Vienna Phil. fro Decca/London is the better of the two; the second one, made for Deutsche Grammophon, is not as exciting.

[Watcher3223]

@billyguns2

So, I should be on the lookout for the Decca U.K./London release.  Thanks.

[carlosmighty]

I have the 1981 Karajan's recording. It's stunning and i simple adore this piece.

[sfkcbf]

Marvelous!