Mars, The Bringer of War - from Holst's The Planets

Since time immemorial, man has looked upon the heavens with a sense of awe, wonder, imagination and mystery. It was inevitable that interpretations of outer space would find their way into artistic endeavours, including our music. Composition of The Planets occupied Holst from 1914 to 1916. The first complete performance was conducted by Albert Coates on 15 November, 1920.

Such is the music’s originality, imagination and sensationalism that audiences have been looking ever since into Holst’s catalogue for more compositions of this nature – in vain. Atypical as it may be, The Planets remains by far Holst’s most popular work. Holst claimed that the individual titles of his Planets “were suggested by the astrological significance of the planets; there is no programme music, neither have they any connection with the deities of classical mythology.”

Mars represents the brutish, unfeeling, inhuman nature of mechanised warfare. “Unpleasant and terrifying” were Holst’s words to describe how the music should sound. A relentless pounding is set up in the opening bars, a pounding that carries through the entire movement. The unusual meter Holst chose for this music, 5/4, creates its own opportunities for musical warfare.

Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Litton, Principal Guest Conductor

Recorded live at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, on 8 Nov 2019.

Notes: Robert Markow
Photo: VANIT JANTHRA / NASA

[patriciahinkin]

Imagine conducting or even playing this music, I remember at school, our music teacher playing this to us, I was enchanted

[abstract_geographika]

I'm glad the conductor came out alive from this passionate performance.

[tonybarde]

It was the 19th of February, 1942. I was with my friend playing cards at a bar in Darwin, Australia. Suddenly, we heard a loud wailing sound. It started out low and got louder and louder. It was the sound of the air raid sirens! We went outside and we saw in the sky about 100 or more Japanese planes, fighters and bombers! Suddenly a bomb hit the department store across the street and we ran for shelter

[nicholasbarber]

Come for the song, stay for the conductor.

[patriciahinkin]

I remember a music teacher saying, I'm not saying anything, just listen, wow wow wow

[patriciahinkin]

The one piece of clasdical music i would love to hear in front of a wonderful orchestra

[danielcruz]

Great opening sequence!! ""What is this that stands before me? ""

[TheIpazia]

Grazie mille Singapore simphony, musica per mè inedita, Marte è il mio pianeta, mi è piacciuta 💕

[irsishbomb]

mans looked like he was trying to push a shit out at the end-

[Magic_mitsuki.exe.]

*me literally being given this from my music teacher*

[icYee]

you know the song is good when there are two pairs of timpani

[patriciahinkin]

Our music teacher at school, im going yo plsy you dome classical music, we moaned, and the he plsyed this, amaxing piece of music
At the end, he said, know tell me you dont like classical music

[farahtabana]

My music teacher let us hear this song 🎶🎶🎶

[patriciahinkin]

Our music teacher, so, classical music is boring, listen to this, then tell me it's boring.

[farahtabana]

Oh and check out the one with the girl it is funny🥁

[elikins]

Amazing. Incredible. Thanks From Argentina.