Holst "The Planets"

London Philharmonic under Adrian Boult are supposed to be the absolute reference, but this is one of the few works where I definitely prefer a modern, flawless recording.

I got the Chicago/Solti (Decca 1979) version as it sounds good, and the Jupiter movement is strikingly beautiful. Some movements, though, could be played with more involvement, like Mars which could IMHO be much more frightening.

I guess that Ozawa, Boulez or Dutoit (if he has a good day) might be among the right people for the job.

Cheese

quote:

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I got the Chicago/Solti (Decca 1979) version as it sounds good, and the Jupiter movement is strikingly beautiful. Some movements, though, could be played with more involvement, like Mars which could IMHO be much more frightening.

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I've got a mint 79 Decca copy of Solti with the London Philharmonic. I'm no expert, but it was certainly worth the 20p I paid! Decca cut really good sounding records, I will buy pretty much any cheap (non-digital) classical vinyl on the label when I see it.

Tony.

and suggest Steinberg with the Boston Symphony on DGG. I have it on vinyl, but I think it's been reissued coupled with a first class Zarathustra (which I also have on vinyl) on DG Originals

Igor

[This message was edited by Igor Zamberlan on TUESDAY 02 July 2002 at 13:53.]

Several others to choose from, all excellent recordings:

Boult/New Philharmonia - EMI ASD 2301 (60's recording)

Boult/LPO - EMI ASD 3649 (excellent 70's recording

Mehta/LAPO - DECCA SXL6529 (proabably along with Solti the most sonically spectacular - the Mehta is the most in demand from audiophiles)

Previn/LSO - EMI ASD3002 (excellent 70's recording)


All of these were analogue recordings before the advent of digital.

Paul

Agree with previous post, this is a good recording, well worth checking out and the one I would recommend.

Nigel,

On Deutsche Grammophon actually three recordings are available:

1. Karajan / Berliner Philarmoniker (DDD / 439011-2);
2. J. E. Gardiner / Philharmonia Orchestra (DDD / 445860-2);
3. William Steinberg / Boston Symphony Orchestra (ADD / 463627-2).

Have a good choice!

Christian

The Dutoit version is also re-released on Penguin Classics CDs, very cheap. It is absolutely superb.

Apparently he's just resigned as Conductor of the Montreal Symphony after many years, which is a shame. His Ravel cycle on Decca is fab.

Dutoit Resigning

Dutoit resigned because the orchestra couldn't stand his bully ways any longer.

And before Vuk starts thinking maybe he's a great man: the Concertgebouw Orchestra used to have him over for a while in the eighties (when they were dissatisfied with Haitink and getting used to Chailly - the Concertgebouw is a bully orchestra, actually), but their interest dropped, just because they thought he was OK, but not that brilliant. And he just wouldn't listen.

Decca and Dutoit built up the Montreal Orchestra brilliantly in the eighties, but I have to confess I'm always bothered by the reverberant acoustics in the recordings masking orchestral skills that are not quite first rate (compare Amsterdam, Vienna, Berlin, Cleveland or Chicago). He's a good conductor, just not one of the current best. Say, Slatkin is better, having a more inclusive repertoire, for one.

Still, for all I know Dutoit's Holst recording may be one of the best.

Herman

Hi
I have the Boult and a recording by Colin Davis conducting one of the BBC orchestras. It was recommended by Gramophone as having particularly good sound. I enjoy it better than the Boult because it is so clear - the different instrments really stand out.
Steve