The Planets – Out of Darkness | Salisbury Cathedral Organ [4K]

Music by Gustav Holst
Arranged for the Father Willis Organ of Salisbury Cathedral and performed by @JohnChallenger
With the Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral, conducted by David Halls (50:52 Neptune)

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00:34 Mars – The Bringer of War
09:40 Venus – The Bringer of Peace
20:01 Mercury – The Winged Messenger
25:02 Jupiter – The Bringer of Jollity
34:15 Saturn – The Bringer of Old Age
44:12 Uranus – The Magician
50:52 Neptune – The Mystic

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This video is available to watch in resolutions up to 4K.

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A film by Ben Tomlin - @bentomlin
Drone footage by Simon Brown
Audio by Andrew Post
Lighting design by Ricardo da Fonseca
Quality assurance by Josh Quinlan

Filmed and recorded at Salisbury Cathedral during May and October 2023 and February 2024.

[Joshtcopo]

This is seriously one of the best quality recordings of any pipe organ I've ever heard. Whomever did the sound engineering knew exactly what they were listening to and the significance of the instrument. Despite being a pipe organ tech, I swear I forget I'm listening to a wind instrument over and over. This is music as God intended. Thank you to everyone involved!

[md]

This was so good that I forgot that I was listening to an organ transcription.

[OldPannonian]

Ever since I was a child, I have been listening to this classic work. As an amateur astronomer, I was very attracted to the subject matter and the tonal spectrum. We used to listen to this work with my mother, who passed away decades ago. As an 81-year-old person, I am looking forward to experiencing the wonder of the heavens from that other side, where there is no pain, sadness and suffering...

[mikemcglauflin]

My biased opinion to an orchestra for planets and apprehension to pipe organs has been silenced. A genius masterpiece has been demonstrated here from an ancient instrument and musical story clearly still both vibrant with life. A lifetime of listening to renditions of this piece did not prepare for such a surreal experience. Thank you!

[ShinichiKojima-tt]

No composer other than Holst was able to express Planets.
Holst is a Alchemist of Planets' music

[bobcochran]

I have to think that solidly English composer Holst would love this performance in such a truly English cathedral by a master organist and musician. Bravo!

[ShinichiKojima-tt]

Every drop of my blood tingled with excitement when I listen to this performance

[grayjohn]

I was at Hereford cathedral last night watching his performance. Brilliant, love it. Genius. Neptune is wonderful...its all wonderful. Thank you.

[francisbaldwin]

A truly magnificent and memorable moment in life celebrating Holst's masterpeice and life with this incredible perfectly filmed arrangement.This wonderful organist John Challenger will surely be knighted some day for his devotion and passion to music and the joy he brings to our ears...

[jamescorvid]

OMG Mars on the Organ is incredible - so sinister and menacing!

[aarondyer.pianist]

Fabulous work, John! Congratulations.

[JaguarFeatherStudios]

I toured England and Salisbury in 2019 and visited the cathedral both in the day and again at night for Evensong. I remember making a small donation toward the restoration of this particular organ, as they were doing a lot of refurbishing.
I’ve not heard Holst’s suite in any other form than full symphony orchestra. If there were any other instrument that could give it the depth and majesty it demands, it would be the cathedral organ, here in the capable hands (and feet) of John Challenger.

[kenlawrence]

Absolutely wonderful! When one thinks that this score is normally played by a large orchestra but here is one very skilled musician and a wonderful organ - a stunning performance - thank you for a great hour of entertainment.
I have now ordered the cd recording of this brilliant performance.

[dempsey]

Stunning. What a joyful way to spend an hour this evening.

[johnwilliams]

The power and tempo of i vow to thee my country has had tears flowing.
.never heard it so moving.

[mikemcglauflin]

I was not prepared for such a marvelous tour of the planets. I have repeatedly made this journey all my life, but this new perspective reveals entirely new worlds. Thank you!

[Baserra]

And the cathedral with those lights is even more beautiful

[danielcole]

Just WOW! Especially Neptune! When the women's voices came in, I literally started crying. How he made that magnificent instrument sound like women's voices...I just dont know.

[markfortuin]

Oh Wow! This was stupendous. John Challenger is a phenomenal Organist.

[jakeallinson]

Gracious, when the choir entered during Neptune - The Mystic...literal goosebumps. Bravo.