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LPO–0047
© 2010 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd
℗ 2010 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd
Recorded live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London, on 22 May 2009
Total playing time: 43:06
DDD Stereo
Released October 2010

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CD: Holst – The Planets

LPO conducted by Vladimir Jurowski

Holst The Planets

1. Mars, the Bringer of War
2. Venus, the Bringer of Peace
3. Mercury, the Winged Messenger
4. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
5. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
6. Uranus, the Magician
7. Neptune, the Mystic

Vladimir Jurowski conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir

Few composers have achieved such success with a single work as Holst with The Planets. Each movement expresses the planet’s supposed astrological character, and the colourful orchestration and memorable melodies ensured its immediate and ongoing popularity. It’s hard to believe now that it was a groundbreaking work – a huge, multi-movement piece that finally fades into ethereal silence as wordless voices disappear into outer space. This rousing performance was conducted by the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Principal Conductor, Vladimir Jurowski.

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Listen First
Reviews

Listen First

Reviews

‘A vibrant and vigorous version, stunningly played.’
Colin Anderson, Classical Source, 17 September 2010

‘Brisk tempos and a brilliant, brassy sound distinguish this version of Holst’s best-loved work … hats off to the energy and commitment of the LPO players.’
Paul Gent, The Telegraph, 8 October 2010

‘Venus has a Ravellian swoon and sheen, aided by luxuriant LPO string playing, and the final seconds of Mercury are exceptional, with a contrabassoon grunt just audible enough to make its point … this is a consistently exciting, occasionally thrilling live performance.’
Graham Rickson, The Arts Desk, 26 October 2010

‘A great new live Planets from Jurowski’s LPO … All told, an excellent version.’
Edward Greenfield, Gramophone Editor's Choice, November 2010

‘There's real savagery in the way in which he and the London Philharmonic remorselessly build Mars to its shattering climax, French wit in the scherzo-like qualities of Mercury and Uranus, and Stravinskian formality in the restraint of Saturn, and, although some conductors would make a bigger deal out of the central section of Jupiter, it's no bad thing that Jurowski doesn't. Thoroughly recommended.’
Andrew Clements, The Guardian, 29 October 2010