Customer Reviews

Planets / Egdon Heath / Perfect Fool Ballet Music

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

 

 

Sure, it may not be the best technical reading of the planets. The sound isn't the best, and the orchestra has its share of flubs, but Boult's view of this work is IMHO unbeatable. This recording has that space like sound, or rather it has that science fiction movie sound to it. Mars is tremendous on this recording, with lots of power and momentum. Sure, there is that famous trumpet clam near the beginning, but it's not something that is particularly terrible, because it does not sound like a mistake to someone who has never heard the piece before (It's nearly an ornament.) However, the climaxes in Mars puts Dutoit's Mars to shame. Jupiter is another highlight on this disc, with the fanfare sections (before and after the 'big' theme) never sounding better. Uranus may be a problem for some because of the slower tempo, but all the climaxes are there as well as lots of color from the orchestra. Neptune is superb as well. It's hard to tell whether you are still hearing the voices at the end or if it's just the imagination. All around, this has to be my favorite recording of "The Planets." I am completely satisfied. This is Boult's 4th recording, with the New Philharmonia. His 5th recording on EMI is also worthy of praise, but the tempi are much slower (which may appeal to some people.) Plus, the extra fillers on the disc are also A+. Not a disc to miss out on!

It's not Adrian Boult's fault, just that the sound balance is not great on the Planets, which is the type of orchestral music you play to test new speakers out. Get John Eliot Gardiner's version w/Philharmonia Orch on Deutsche Gram. for this sort of expressive power and clarity, or Boult's more famous London Symphony recording if you want an older recording. Get this version for Perfect Fool and Egdon Heath; they both have a fine recording sound and are excellent examples of Holst's musical imagination.

From the opening bars, this recording of the Planets was a disappointment. The brass playing is sub-par in both Mars and Uranus. That the trumpets add a misplayed note to one of the more signifigant passages early in Mars and this is just not acceptable. I am surprised that EMI ever allowed such a recording to be released to the public. Such playing is not even worthy of budget releases and there are good number of budget releases that are better than this. There are better Boult recordings of The Planets and I think had this disc not had Boult's name on it, it probably would never again have seen the light of day.

Holst's "The Perfect Fool" and "Egdon Heath: Homage to Thomas Hardy" performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andre Previn are very good. Holst's "The Planets" by the New Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult sounds flat and monochromic. There is just no power behind "The Planets" recording. The TELARC Compact Disc "Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op 32" performed by the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra conducted by Andre Previn is my favorite. However, "The Perfect Fool" and "Egdon Heath" recordings on this CD are excellent and make this Compact Disc highly desirable.