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Gustav Holst-The planets suite

post #1 of 25
4/30/09 at 12:36am
Thread Starter 
I've listened to about close to 10 different renditions done on the planets suite, but nothing comes close to the one done by Von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmonic.

I don't know if its a personal preference or not, but I think the most noticeable difference is in the interpretation of Jupiter. What do you guys think?
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post #2 of 25
4/30/09 at 7:43pm
have you heard the Dutoit/Montreal version?
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post #3 of 25
4/30/09 at 8:15pm
I have the London Symphony conducted by Geoffry Simon. It's a 1991 recording on the Laserlight label. I enjoy it very much but I'll have to give the Berliner Philharmonic version a listen.

Amazon.com: Holst: The Planets: Gustav Holst, Niccolo Paganini, Geoffrey Simon, Gary Karr, London Symphony Orchestra: Music
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post #4 of 25
4/30/09 at 10:10pm
The Dutoit is tops for me, too. And the Boult EMI recording is very special. When I think about it I don't think I've ever heard a bad version, although the Tomita synthesized one is terrible.
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post #5 of 25
4/30/09 at 11:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbhaub View Post
The Dutoit is tops for me, too. And the Boult EMI recording is very special. When I think about it I don't think I've ever heard a bad version, although the Tomita synthesized one is terrible.
There are a few older Holst Planets threads here, my post from 4yrs ago:

Quote:
Here is my current active Holst "Planets" collection:
Dutoit/London (safe bet overall, rich full modern sound)
Steinberg/DG Originals (incl Strauss "zarathrustra" but very bright recording)
Judd/Denon (Mars is as menacing and sinister as any recorded)
Gardiner/DG (one of the best overall)
Jones/Naxos (budget price, competes equally with full price versions)
Gibson/Chandos (very balanced overall)
Solti/London (LPO version, prominent brass, incl Elgar "pomp & circumstance" marches)
Bernstein/Sony (has all the panache/swagger you expect from Sony NYPO era Lenny)
I would not argue with Dutoit as top overall choice......especially used at low price.
The Bernstein/Sony has a great Jupiter and the Judd/Denon Mars is an all powerful god of war
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post #6 of 25
4/30/09 at 11:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by apexle View Post
I've listened to about close to 10 different renditions done on the planets suite, but nothing comes close to the one done by Von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmonic.
I tried BPO/VPO versions by HVK and kept the 1961 VPO/Decca version for my collection:

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post #7 of 25
4/30/09 at 11:44pm
While I recently enjoyed a wonderful live rendition, my favorite has to be the Toronto Symphony/Andrew Davis version. However, I doubt anyone will agree as it is shallow at times.
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post #8 of 25
5/1/09 at 6:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by apexle View Post
I've listened to about close to 10 different renditions done on the planets suite, but nothing comes close to the one done by Von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmonic.

I don't know if its a personal preference or not, but I think the most noticeable difference is in the interpretation of Jupiter. What do you guys think?
I agree with you, Karajan's Jupiter is amazing.
The orchestra sound is gorgeous.

Have you tried one of many recording by Sir Adrian Boult yet?
His interpretation may sound dull at first, but very convincing after couple runs.
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post #9 of 25
5/2/09 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stokitw View Post
I agree with you, Karajan's Jupiter is amazing.
The orchestra sound is gorgeous.

Have you tried one of many recording by Sir Adrian Boult yet?
His interpretation may sound dull at first, but very convincing after couple runs.
My impression of Boult/EMI GROTC also was a bit reserved or "dull" but there are a few different performances available and I think it depends which one you get.




Also important to consider what is paired with the Planets, sometimes there are valuable filler pieces included, for instance the Gardiner/DG



Includes a delightful rare filler with Grainger's The Warriors (Music to an imaginary ballet for orchestra & 3 pianos)
My only slight knock on the Gardiner is slight lack of deep bass extension which limits full dynamic impact a bit.......compared to the earth shaking force unleashed by Judd/Denon Mars movement for instance
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post #10 of 25
5/2/09 at 7:43pm
Before judging Boult harshly, please keep two things in mind: it was Bould who Holst entrusted to first perform the work, and who knew it better than Boult? Well, Holst. And there's a recording of Holst conducting it, too. You will be astonished how straightforward and no nonsense his version is. Quicker than the norm, too. I bring this up just to point out that many conductors have turned Planets into a sumptuous concerto for orchestra and a romantic wallow that the composer did not intend. Not that I'd ever give up Dutoit (or Solti, Gardiner, even Maazel).
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post #11 of 25
2/22/10 at 1:42pm
I am currently listening to the Gardiner version, and was wondering who does an exceptional Neptune?

I used to love Jupiter but have really begun loving Neptune lately.
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post #12 of 25
2/22/10 at 3:00pm
Holst - The Planets (Mehta, LAPO) is the one I have. I remastered it in December and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.
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post #13 of 25
2/22/10 at 5:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LFF View Post
Holst - The Planets (Mehta, LAPO) is the one I have. I remastered it in December and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.
This is the version I have. Really enjoy it but the sound quality is not that great.
How did you remaster it?
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post #14 of 25
2/24/10 at 4:45pm
Never cared for the Karajan version, but I'm not a big fan of his to begin with. It's the Dutoit version for me, runner-up is Boult.

- augustwest
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post #15 of 25
2/24/10 at 10:03pm
Ill have to give it a try. Was going to pick one up and never got around to it. T
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