- by Art Sulit, www.MuSeeks.com/ArthurSulit
Music Timeline Author, August 10, 2005
Gustav Holst, in 1917, premiered his 'Planets Suite', forever changing the face of 20th century music. His odd polyrhythms and huge orchestration marked a departure from the Romantic and Impressionistic Age, into the mechanized, ultra-modern styles we hear in Star Wars film music today. Fitting that his work was written all during World War I, with the terroriziing appearance of Tanks and flame-throwers, nerve gas and other mass-murder horrors.
There cannot be enough said about Holst's Planets, perhaps the most successful running Symphonic programme ever before, and still today. My own electronic performance of The Planets has reached critical acclaim, by Holst scholar Neil Williams, of the U.K. Look for his book and articles to come out soon! Also look out for my Fantasia-I (the independent version) to come out in parts, featuring Holst Planets, Tchaikovsky and others put to high animation with political and war comedy. Perfect for our times!