Search - G. Holst :: Holst: The Planets/Beni Mora

Great Early Stereo Planets Recording

Woodland Poet | 03/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one the great early stereo recordings of the Planets. The performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra is first rate. The sound quality of the late 1950s here is amazingly full, clear and dynamic. The recorded sound is articulate in the details, harps, precussion; triangles, bells, etc. The brass playing is good throughout and Malcolm Sargent gives us the greatest version of Mercury ever recorded in my opinion; certainly among the quickest versions ever. Mercury, the Winged Messenger is often overlooked in many Planets recordings. Venus is very relaxed, transparent and features delicate playing. The other standout movement is Saturn (Holst's favorite) most notably in the bells, which sound like real bells and the beautifully articulated harp playing at the end. Beni Mora is another good Holst piece here and Sargent gives this piece a good performance too. You can't beat this price either and this recording is certainly better than many other higher priced recordings available. Keep in mind in the late 50s, The Planets was not an often recorded peice. This recorded version was way ahead of it's time."