Holst: Orchestral Works, Volume 2

Holst

The Planets;
Japanese Suite;
Beni Mora
BBC Philharmonic,
Sir Andrew Davis

That The Planets occupies a place at the heart of the English musical repertoire is indisputable, yet much of the orchestral output of Gustav Holst is unjustly neglected. Chandos’ series devoted to the composer demonstrates that he was a composer whose inventiveness and originality was not limited to one work. The series was to have been conducted by Richard Hickox, but Hickox sadly died in 2009 after completing Volume 1. This was released to great critical acclaim, Gramophone stating that ‘Richard Hickox’s final project, reviving little-known Holst works, is a triumph’. In this second volume, Sir Andrew Davis, an exclusive Chandos artist, has taken the baton, conducting the BBC Philharmonic in a unique programme: The Planets, Holst’s orchestral tour de force, as well as two comparative rarities in the concert hall, the Japanese Suite and Beni Mora.

"Highly recommended!"

Richard A Kaplan - Fanfare - September/October 2011

“…In each work, the playing of the BBC Philharmonic is simply outstanding – as is the excellent SACD sound…”

Buerkle – American Record Guide – July/August 2011

“…This disc is a must have …”

Bruce Surtees - The WholeNote.com - 1 April 2011

"...the BBC Philharmonic plays well..."

Mike Langhorne - Classicalsource.com

Performance (Beni Mora) *** Performance (Rest) **** Recording ****

Daniel Jaffe - BBC Music Magazine, April 2011

*****

I like the Andrew Davis interpretation but initially, particularly with Mars, the bass seemed excessive and the sound muddled. However, having listened a bit more I'm coming to the conclusion that, good as they are, my little PMC DB1 speakers are having trouble with the sheer scale of this music when presented at 24/96 ! Time for an upgrade perhaps, but "space" is an issue !

D Holliday

*****

C Spray

*****

N Reeves

*****

This is my new favorite performance of The Planets. The orchestral power, and the finer details expressed on this recording are wonderful. I had not heard the other selections on this record before, they are a fine coupling with The Planets.

A Corron

*****

Good performances - well it IS Andrew Davis, after all - of some well known/NOT so well known music, in good sound. The WAV download sounds great.

k spillett

*****

This Recording is so nice! I think that sound is good more than Mark Elder recordings (same location)

R Shimada

Holst: Orchestral Works, Volume 2

BBC Philharmonic

Sir Andrew Davis

Manchester Chamber Choir (Ladies voices)

Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Mike George

Ralph Couzens

Stephen Rinker

Philip Booth

Choir

GUSTAV HOLST

Beni Mora, Op. 29 No. 1, H 107 (1909-10)

Japanese Suite, Op. 33, H 126 (1915)

The Planets, Op. 32, H 125 (1914-16)