Search - Gustav Holst, Vernon Handley, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Holst: The Planets; St. Paul's Suite [Hybrid SACD] [Germany]

Five Channels for Seven Planets

Joseph L. Ponessa | Glendive MT USA | 10/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I acquired this SACD only because the price was right and I liked other RPO releases in this series. First I heard it stereo in my car, played it through twice, and liked what I heard so much that I played it on the multi-channel home audio system. This leaves all my other recordings of the Planets in the dust, if not in the dustbin.

Vernon Hadley, who passed away only a month ago, draws from the RPO an amazing performance. Where other recordings are tepid and effete, this one sounds like a soundtrack. In fact, it became clear to me for the first time how much John Williams drew from Holst in creating the score to Star Wars. The opening scene with the big ship attacking the small one quotes extensively from the opening movement of the Planets, about Mars, god of war. The companion piece, the St Paul's Suite, was new to me, but has the same fine sonic value as the Planets. This disc is not going back out to the car, it's staying right here inside where it belongs."