Customer Reviews

Holst: The Planets, Matthews: Pluto

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The only genuine attraction for me here was to hear Colin Matthews' Pluto appendage. I suppose the musical planetoid has its peculiar modernist charms, but as has been pontificated ad nauseam elsewhere, it doesn't belong in the same solar system as Holst's classic suite (nor as science would now have it, in anyone's set of planets!). Matthews' Pluto is of an idiom far removed from Holst's veddy English brand of dramatic romanticism. In my opinion, it's best listened to in isolation...if at all. The convenience here is that Pluto can either be heard as such or as a seamless segue from Neptune's wordless choir. Likewise, if one wishes to go to the trouble, the CD can be programmed so that the suite ends in the traditional manner.

This is one of the most generally subdued and understated performances of The Planets I've heard, abetted by Hyperion's spacious soundstage. Mars builds and culminates broodily instead of menacingly; Venus and Mercury are featherlight filaments in this celestial firmament; Saturn grudgingly packs and imparts its "old age"; Neptune waxes eerie instead of ethereal. I will, however, give big thumbs up to both Jupiter and Uranus -- Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra are well-measured here delivering a suitable punch and brio, along with a splash of vinegar; though the recording's wide dynamic range renders Uranus' pianissimo barely audible. Those expecting the usual sonic blunderbuss will be surprised by the generally well-considered understatement here...or else sorely disappointed by it.

Holst's Lyric Movement for Viola and Orchestra from 1933 is a very beautiful, but very, very plaintive sounding number to round out the program...perhaps somewhat in concordance with Elder's general approach to the main attraction.

I've always enjoyed recordings of Holst's "The Planets" - the quick intensity of "Mercury" - the lush romanticism of "Venus" - the battle frenzy of "Mars" - the majesty of "Jupiter" - and all the rest. And this is one of the better renditions of those numbers available.

But I've always wondered what Holst might have thought of "Pluto" - until this recording. Holst gave us classical interpretations of the planets as though they were gods - an interpretation that was held by those who gave the Planets their names. Holst's interpretations of Mars as the Bringer of War and Jupiter as the Bringer of Joy have always been some of my favorite Holst works.

The Halle Orchestra, under the baton of Lyn Fletcher, give one of the more memorable performances of "The Planets" that I can remember - and then add to it by introducing us to Colin Matthews' "Pluto - Bringer of Renewal".

"Pluto" was composed by Colin Matthews and performed for the first time for this album. In acutality, it adds a sense of coming around in a circle to "The Planets". The echoes of the other numbers of Holst's masterwork make this a fine addition to the classical music library.

In addition, this album contains the rarely heard "Lyric Movement" - a chorus for Viola and small orchestra that was one of Holst's last works.

A fine addition to any classical library.

As the tag says it is nice for Pluto to get some recognition. It is a nice tune and a great smphony overall.

Pluto was actually discovered when Holst was still alive, but Holst refused to be bothered with that entity. And he was right after all.

Now Pluto is no longer a planet, I doubt this recording will ever be re-released.