THE PLANETS SUITE BY GUSTAV HOLST

Motif: A musical idea or succession of notes that is characteristic of a composition

About the Suite

Written by Gustav Holst Originally performed in 1918 There was no movement written for

Pluto, which had not yet been discovered

The traditional order in performance is: Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

Things to listen for:

The types of instruments being playedInstrumentation:Tempo: How fast the music is being

playedDynamics:How loud or soft the music

is The emotions that the music is creating through all the elements listed above

Mood:

Mercury, The Winged Messenger

Greek name: Hermes Messenger of the Gods God of travel, messengers, trade, thievery, cunning

wiles, language, writing, diplomacy, and athletics. Had a winged hat and sandals, so he could fly

Venus, the Bringer of Peace

Greek name: Aphrodite Goddess of love, lust, beauty,

seduction, and pleasure. Mother of Cupid Wife of Vulcan, the smith of the gods

Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity

Greek name: Zeus King of the Gods Wields lighting bolts God of benevolence and generosity Often looks down on Earth with a smile and will

come down to flirt with all the ladies Brother of Neptune and Pluto

Neptune, The Mystic

Greek name: Poseidon Lord of the Sea Brother of Jupiter and Pluto Also the God of earthquakes and horses

Which God do you think the movement was about: Jupiter or Neptune? Why?

Mars, the Bringer of War

Greek name: Ares God of war, bloodlust,

violence, manly courage, and civil order. Considered murderous and bloodstained,

but also a coward

Uranus, The Magician

Greek name: Uranus One of Titans: God of the sky Parent of Saturn along with Gaia (Mother

Earth)

Which God do you think the movement was about: Mars or Uranus? Why?

Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age

Greek name: Cronos One of the Titans, who ruled before the Gods Father of Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto God of Time (often called Father Time)