Track Listing

1. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: Theme (Andante) - London Symphony Orchestra
2. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: I. L'istesso Tempo - London Symphony Orchestra
3. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: II. Allegro - London Symphony Orchestra
4. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: III. Allegretto - London Symphony Orchestra
5. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: IV. Allegro Di Molto - London Symphony Orchestra
6. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: V. Moderato - London Symphony Orchestra
7. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: VI. Andantino - London Symphony Orchestra
8. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: VII. Troyte (Presto) - London Symphony Orchestra
9. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: VIII. Allegretto - London Symphony Orchestra
10. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: IX. Nimrod (Adagio) - London Symphony Orchestra
11. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: X. Intermezzo: Dorabella (Allegretto) - London Symphony Orchestra
12. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: XI. Allegro Di Molto - London Symphony Orchestra
13. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: XII. Andante - London Symphony Orchestra
14. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: XIII. Romanza: *** (Moderato) - London Symphony Orchestra
15. Variations On An Original Theme ('Enigma'), Op.36: XIV. Finale: Allegro - London Symphony Orchestra
16. The Planets, Op.32: I. Mars The Bringer Of War (Allegro) - The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
17. The Planets, Op.32: II. Venus, The Bringer Of Peace (Adagio) - The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
18. The Planets, Op.32: III. Mercury, The Winged Messenger (Vivace) - The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
19. The Planets, Op.32: IV: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity (Allegro Giocoso - Andante Maestoso) - The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
20. The Planets, Op.32: V: Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age (Adagio) - The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
21. The Planets, Op.32: VI. Uranus, The Magician (Allegro) - The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
22. The Planets, Op.32: VII. Neptune, The Mystic (Andante) - The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #794 in Music
• Released on: 2002-03-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 79 minutes

Customer Reviews

Definitive recording of Holst's master work
Boult was the first to conduct Holst's planet suite at the tender age of 29. After hearing this, much later, reading of the suite (recorded in 1978) it's easy to see why Holst had such faith in the young conductor’s ability to realise his score.

The LPO are on fine form here, and Boult’s orchestral discipline is second to none.
The whole recording has been remastered at Abbey Road studios. While sceptical of remasters being overly processed, this is definitely not the case here. The sound quality is superb, displaying depth, resonance, detail and warmth. The instruments are beautifully imaged and, in particular, the dissonance of the trumpet is reproduced perfectly.

While some feel that the tempi of this reading is too plodding (Mars is particularly slow) or too heavy (for a lighter interpretation, Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra are a good bet), I feel both are perfect and really emphasise the drama of the pieces.
In particular, the minimal use of thematic content (sometimes just one or two notes/chords) during Jupiter benefits from Boult’s pace, helping to create the sense of the ethereal that no composer but Holst seems to have mastered.

As a bonus, the CD also features an excellent reading of Elgars’s Enigma Variations. Together with the Hoslt recording, these performances display the deep understanding he had of the music and the "Englishness" of his friend’s works.

If you don’t already own the Planet Suite, I would highly recommend this excellent CD and will guarantee your enjoyment of it.

simply the best
I don't think there is a better CD of English classics than this one. Rob Cowan chose Boult's 'Enigma' as the best available version the last time the work was reviewed on Radio 3's CD Review. It is a performance that manages to balance all the different moods and characters of the musical pictures of Elgar's 'friends pictured within' quite beautifully, and the sound is excellent 1970s analogue. Boult was the first man to conduct 'The Planets' and recorded it five times, and this is probably the best performance and certainly the best recording.
From start to finish it is a joy. I find it amazing that a man who was - what? - well on in his 80s when he made this could produce an interpretation of such energy and poetry, but so it is. An unmissable CD.

As Holst intended?
This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?

Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original 'two piano' score and must have got the full S.P. from Holst? If this is so, then what we have here is close to the real deal?
OK, Bolt had five cracks at this recording before producing this last version, so we may have the advantage of decades of Bolt's polishing and highlighting the manifold textures one may hear in this genius of a masterpiece. It certainly sounds like it.

I was surprised to hear a faster 'Venus' than i think i have ever heard before, and 'Jupiter' is a bit nippy also. But i was also surprised at how quickly i accomodated these unexpected nuances and began to listen to the clarity of what was going on instead. I don't think i have ever before been able to hold so many themes and harmonies in one passing than i have experienced with this recording of The Planets because so much usualy becomes burried in the total wash. Not so here: the richness and variety of the score is available at all sonic levels.

Majestic stuff.