Holst: The Planets

by Richard Greene

Overview

This book is the first comprehensive guide to Holst's orchestral suite The Planets. It considers the music in detail and places the work in its historical context, describing the circumstances of its composition and its meteoric rise to popular acclaim. Starting with Holst's particular interest in astrology, Greene reveals a profound statement of human character and Holst's own psychological journey toward the mystical state. Using parallels in the verbal and visual arts, Greene weaves here a fascinating tale of musical communication.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521456333
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/16/1995
Series:	Cambridge Music Handbooks
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.39(w) x 8.46(h) x 0.35(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; Introduction: musical character and a theory of musical rhetoric; 1. Holst and the two Londons; 2. Genesis; 3. Reception; 4. The character plots (1): Mars to Mercury; 5. The character plots (2): Jupiter to Neptune; 6. On becoming The Planets: the overall design; Epilogue; Appendices; Notes; Select bibliography; Index.