The Planets in Full Score

by Gustav Holst

Book Overview

Among the most popular and important modern British composers, Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was a true eccentric, given to odd enthusiasms and mystical musings. His spectacular symphonic suite The Planets, first performed in 1918, established his international reputation and remains a staple of the orchestral repertoire to this day.
Scored for huge orchestral forces and a wordless chorus, the work is divided into seven movements, the music...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486292770
• ISBN13: 9780486292779
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.3" x 12.2"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding Study Score for a fair price.

What more can be said about Holst's masterpiece "The Planets" which has not already been said been? To be sure, the music is a work of genius; therefore, I wish to comment more about the quality of Dover's printed score. This publication is a quality product. The engraving is primo (a reproduction of the 1921 Goodwin & Tabb Ltd. original); it is easily legible, accurate, and looks wonderful. Obviously, the original engravers were at the top of their game on this one, and Dover has done a terrific job of transferring the plates; it's as clean as one could wish for in an affordable study score. Even in soft-cover, the binding is durable and the pages lay flat. The inclusion of a commentary or brief analysis would have been a welcome addition, but that is a very small gripe against an otherwise fantastic publication. I give it my highest recommendation.

a beautiful edition

Clean, clear, large print, handsome edition of this well known and loved classic. Lists instrumentation on every page (some editions don't list the score instrumentation except for the first page. This often makes score study [especially big orchestral works like this or R. Strauss] very hard to read). Great price as well.

Very Good Score

This Dover score presents everything in a clear and easy-to-read way even though Holst wrote some interesting things that are difficult to notate by ear! The score does open up a new world - listening to it and reading/watching the score are two different things. I was completely unaware of Holst's gigantic forces and his wonderful orchestration that is present in the score. There's no see through on the pages (and where there is, it is only minimal). Main languages are English and Italian terms. For an 80-year old score, it's pretty impressive and in very good condition. A very good buy I must say for $10 - my friend had to pay close to $70 for her copy (both of which are exactly the same). A great bargain!

A Must-Have for any "Planets" lover

If you want to unlock the music of The Planets, it's all right here. I have found this score both useful for learning firsthand compositional technique and for gaining a greater appreciation for the work as a whole.

A must have

This score is a must have for any musician. The well written score dives into one of the best suites of the century. The Planets rocks.