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The Planets - Worksheet 2

Gustav Holst was an English composer known for his orchestral suite The Planets. He was born in England in 1874 to a Swedish pianist father. Holst studied at the Royal College of Music in London and traveled extensively in his youth, developing an interest in Eastern mysticism. He had a career as a trombonist but later became a teacher, heading the music departments at two schools. The Planets, composed from 1914-1916, is a seven-movement symphonic suite depicting the astrological nature of each planet through distinct musical styles, though Pluto was not included as it had yet to be discovered. The piece became a standard orchestral work and influenced many other composers.

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328 views2 pages

The Planets - Worksheet 2

Gustav Holst was an English composer known for his orchestral suite The Planets. He was born in England in 1874 to a Swedish pianist father. Holst studied at the Royal College of Music in London and traveled extensively in his youth, developing an interest in Eastern mysticism. He had a career as a trombonist but later became a teacher, heading the music departments at two schools. The Planets, composed from 1914-1916, is a seven-movement symphonic suite depicting the astrological nature of each planet through distinct musical styles, though Pluto was not included as it had yet to be discovered. The piece became a standard orchestral work and influenced many other composers.

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paul23ice
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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K S 2 M U S I C – U N I T 1 1 – J O U R N E Y I N T O S P A C E C H 3

GUSTAV HOLST AND


THE PLANETS
Name Form

Gustav Holst was a quiet, shy man who was deeply


immersed in the world of music. He was born in England
on September 14th, 1874. His father was a pianist from
Sweden, and both his Grandfather and Great-
Grandfather were composers. Holst studied at the Royal
College of Music in London and began his musical career
as a professional trombonist. In his youth he traveled
extensively in the East, where he developed his interest
in mythology and mysticism, especially within the Hindu
tradition. He left his job as a musician to become a
teacher, eventually becoming head of the music
departments at both St. Paul's Girl's School and Morley College, teaching posts he
would hold for the rest of his life. Many people think that Holst only wrote for the
orchestra. Though he was a great orchestrator, he also wrote many pieces for choir, a
few operas, and even some ballets. He died on May 25, 1934, in London.

Gustav Holst wrote The Planets in 1914-1916. It is a Symphonic Suite in seven


movements: Mars, Bringer of War; Venus, Bringer of Peace; Mercury, the Winged
Messenger; Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity; Saturn, Bringer of Old Age; Uranus, the Magician;
Neptune, the Mystic. You may notice that he did not write a movement for the planet
Pluto. Can you guess why? At the time that Holst composed this piece Pluto had not
yet been discovered. Pluto was discovered in 1930 – over a decade later!
The Planets is famous for the evil-sounding rhythm of the “Mars” movement and the
hymn 'I Vow to Thee' in “Jupiter.” You may have heard this piece before. It has been
used as the theme to the TV series “Quatermass”; the movie “How to Get Ahead in
Advertising”; and Manfred Mann's single “Joybringer”.
The Planets has become a standard orchestral showpiece. Holst’s fascination with
mysticism and astrology motivated him to base the “musical pictures” of this symphony
on the astrological nature of the planets.
“Mars” is a mechanized war machine, brutally crushing everything in its wake. The
relentless 5-4 rhythm ('da-da-da da da da-da da') and ruthless brass sounds create the
atmosphere of evil. “Jupiter” is a bustling fairground, full of good spirits and bouncy
folk tunes. At the private premiere in 1916, the cleaning ladies spontaneously put down
their buckets and mops and began dancing to the string dance in Jupiter.

W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K
K S 2 M U S I C – U N I T 1 1 – J O U R N E Y I N T O S P A C E C H 3

Questions

1. What nationality was Holst?

2. What instrument did Holst play?

3. Where did Holst become a teacher?

4. What types of music did Holst write?

5. When did Holst write “The Planets”?

6. What is a SYMPHONIC SUITE?

7. How many movements make up “The Planets”?

8. What is a MOVEMENT?

9. What seven planets did Holst write a piece of music to describe?

10. Why did Holst not write a piece of music to describe the planet Pluto?

11. How does Holst give the impression of evil and war in his “Mars” movement?

12. How does the “Jupiter” movement compare with that of “Mars”?

W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K

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