Gustav Holst, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan – The Planets (E/VG+) – LP, DE 1981

The Planets is an LP by Gustav Holst, Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker from 1981 released on the Deutsche Grammophon label.

About this album

Karajan’s reading of The Planets is a commanding benchmark for Holst’s orchestral suite, balancing sweep, detail and dramatic force. Issued in 1981, this performance brings the Berliner Philharmoniker’s polished sonority to one of the twentieth century’s most enduring orchestral works, a seven-part suite inspired by astrology rather than astronomy. Holst’s vivid contrasts, from the menace of Mars to the close of Neptune, helped make the piece a staple of concert life and a touchstone for film and game scoring alike. Karajan’s reputation for orchestral discipline gives the score an imposing clarity without dulling its elemental impact.

Genre: Classical