Holst: Die Planeten (Inspiration)

Music of the spheres: Could be the soundtrack to Star Wars, but it’s more than a hundred years old! Back in 1913, English composer Gustav Holst was reading a book about astrology and horoscopes when he got the idea for a very special orchestral work. The planets of our solar system are named after the gods of ancient Rome, and each planet represents a character: Mars is a martial predecessor of Darth Vader, Venus is the gentle goddess of love, Jupiter a jolly God-Father, Mercury a nimble messenger of the gods. This amazingly vivid and thrilling music has captivated its listeners ever since its premiere – no wonder it has inspired so many film composers! - In his Four Sea Pictures, Holst’s compatriot Benjamin Britten captures both the beauty and the cruelty of the sea.