Gustav Holst • The Planets
Decca Record Company SXL 6529
33-RPM 180 g LP
Much like the opening notes to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, I don’t think there are many people who wouldn’t recognise at least the opening notes to the first movement of British composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Mars, the Bringer of War. With a powerful, exciting rhythm blasted out on tympani and brass instruments (especially the tuba and trumpets), what’s not to like?!
Most of the subsequent movements aren’t as rambunctious, but they’re just as likeable (the solo violin in the second movement, Venus, the Bringer of Peace, is—to me at least—reminiscent of Rimsky-Korsakoff’s Scheherazade).
The sound quality of this record is very good: deep, powerful bass (the 16 Hz organ note near the end of Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age will give your system a good workout!), sweet midranges, and airy highs. Dynamics (both micro and macro) are well captured too. This recording also has great breadth and depth: the size of the acoustic space is very well reproduced (assuming your system is up to the task).
Pressed on thick, flat vinyl, this record has quiet surfaces (although there was a little glue or mold release agent on my copy, fortunately on the outer dead wax), and is one that is an essential part of any classical music collection. Even if you don’t like classical music, it’s a good evaluation tool! Enthusiastically recommended!