David Lloyd Jones Holst Gustav The Planets (2004) [sacd R][of]

Mars was depicted as ‘headstrong and at times too forceful’; Venus emphasising the ‘affectional and emotional side of her subjects, giving them a keen appreciation of art and beauty’; Mercury with the ‘ability to use the mind in various ways’; Jupiter’s ‘abundance of life and vitality…noble and generous spirit’; Saturn’s ‘slow and steady progress through life; Uranus’ inclination towards the ‘metaphysical and occult…producing eccentric, strange and erratic reactions’; and Neptune being psychically sensitive and attuned to other-worldly experiences.

Considered by the classical world as one of the most magnificent works of the 20th century, Chesky Records combines its outstanding recording technique with the renowned Bruckner Orchester Linz to produce an extraordinary recording of The Planets by Gustov Holst. This aural spectacular features . . .

“Ultimately the Earth is set apart from its neighbours in this solar system by our humanity. And so, in the process of composing this work I decided to include that which truly defines us—our Voice.” Deborah Cheetham Fraillon

This album features Gustav Holst's orchestral suite "The Planets" alongside a world premiere recording of Deborah Cheetham Fraillon's "Earth."

SOMM Recordings is thrilled to collaborate once again with the Tessa Uys and Ben Schoeman piano duo following their highly praised six-volume recording of the nine symphonies by Beethoven arranged for piano duet by Xaver Scharwenka—about which International Piano says, “These readings afford unmitigated pleasure … the articulation and voicing of the players persuades us into thinking we’re in the middle of an unleashed virtuoso orchestra.” Now, these award-winning South African-born artists present music for two pianos and piano duet from their adopted country, highlighting works by Gustav Holst and Edward Elgar.

SOMM Recordings is thrilled to collaborate once again with the Tessa Uys and Ben Schoeman piano duo following their highly praised six-volume recording of the nine symphonies by Beethoven arranged for piano duet by Xaver Scharwenka—about which International Piano says, “These readings afford unmitigated pleasure … the articulation and voicing of the players persuades us into thinking we’re in the middle of an unleashed virtuoso orchestra.” Now, these award-winning South African-born artists present music for two pianos and piano duet from their adopted country, highlighting works by Gustav Holst and Edward Elgar.

When EMI first released Andre Previn's recording of The Planets on LP back in 1973, it became an instant favorite of mine. Not only did I find the performance as good or better than anyone else’s, I thought the sound was of reference quality. As of this writing it’s around forty years later, and my opinion hasn’t changed. I still use the “Uranus” movement as an audio standard for judging other recordings and stereo equipment. I first owned the English EMI LP pressing, vastly preferring it to the American Angel pressing; then there was the EMI compact disc, which wasn’t quite as open or solid as the LP; and later the EMI Japan mastering, which improved upon the English product.