Holst: The Planets - Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker

The Planets is the most frequently performed piece of British 20th century music with immediate and lasting appeal across every generation and all kinds of music-lovers. This release marks the first recording of The Planets on EMI for nearly 20 years. Sir Simon Rattle joins conducting giants Sir Adrian Boult and Leopold Stokowski before him in bringing this powerful work to fresh ears, this time for a whole new audience in the 21st century. A high profile release of this work is long overdue for the Berliner Philharmoniker who have not recorded The Planets since the legendary Karajan recording of 1981. It is entirely fitting therefore that their British chief conductor should lead the worlds greatest orchestra in this release. Coupling The Planets are four world première Asteroids" commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation and first performed in concert for this live recording 16th-18th March 2006. The unique combination of The Planets, Colin Matthewss Pluto and the four Asteroids makes this a not-to-be-missed release.
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More information:
http://ecards.emiclassics.co.uk/planets
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Buy from Amazon (USA):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000H80LEK/emi-jazz-class-21/ref%3Dnosim
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Buy from Amazon (UK):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000H80LEK/emi-jazz-class-21/ref%3Dn...
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Buy from Amazon (FR):
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000H80LEK/emi-jazz-class-21/ref%3Dnosim
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Buy from Amazon (DE):
http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000H80LEK/emi-jazz-class-21/ref%3Dnosim
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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Holst
• The
• Planets
• Matthews
• Pluto
• Asteroids
• Simon
• Rattle
• Berliner
• Philharmoniker

[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.

[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!

[carlosmighty]

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

[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

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

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

[billyguns2]

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

[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

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!

[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 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

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!