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Gustav Holst's Planets Suite

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Gustav Holst's Planets Suite is one of his most famous works. Written in 1916, the suite takes the listener on a journey through each of planets, excluding Earth. As Pluto was not discovered until 1930, Holst did not dedicate a movement to the dwarf planet. Holst stated that his inspiration for each movement is the planet's astrological significance. The Suite opens with "Mars" in a dissonant 5/4 rhythm. Astrologically, Mars represents anger and energy. The opening to the Suite is powerful, and the dissonance reflects anger. "Mars" works well as an opener; it is energetic and captures the listener's attention. The anger captured in the movement parallels the rocky, volcanic surface of the planet.
The second movement, "Venus," presents a heavy …show more content…

After the prime of life that was "Jupiter," Saturn is the Bringer of Old Age. The movement is somewhat reminiscent of a funeral march. As it progresses, "Saturn" moves away from this desolate tone and moves toward dignified wisdom. The movement is a realization that everything is temporary, just as Saturn's beautiful rings are merely a spectacle of the current age. They will disappear in time as the ring particles are destroyed by collisions.
Astrology recognizes Uranus as original and individual. Holst views the planet as a magician. The movement portrays a figure with mystical ability, energy, and individuality. Uranus' blue tint is an image of originality. Another image of the planet's originality is its 90-degree tilt on its axis. The planet appears to spin on its side, and this seems to be a magical property - just like "Uranus" is The Magician.
Neptune is the astrological planet of dreams, illusions, and confusion. The themes in "Neptune" are dreamlike and incomplete. Neptune is so far from the Earth that it is invisible to the naked eye, making the planet seem like an illusion. "Neptune" does not really end. Its voices fade away until they are inaudible. It leaves the listener dreaming of what lies beyond. Beyond Neptune is the Kuiper Belt, and then the rest of the

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Fisher Tull was born Waco, Texas in September 27th, 1934. Around the age of nine in the fifth grade, Fisher Tull began learning to play the trumpet which he continued to do throughout his schooling. As a trumpet player, Fisher Tull played both classical and jazz music and early in his life considered himself to be more of a jazz musician. Fisher Tull went on to enroll at The University of North Texas in 1952, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Following the completion of his first degree Tull went on to continue and complete his graduate studies at The University of North Texas in music theory and trumpet performance in 1957.

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They represent Jaguar (1st sun), wind (2nd sun), rain (3rd sun, and water (4th sun). Also, each sun shows the manner of death. Additionally, the first sun is comprised of death by jaguars, followed by high wind death, death by rains of fire, and death by water. The thing I found most beneficial to my learning was learning about the 5th sun. The 5th sun prophesied that death by earthquakes will be the death of the current world we live in.

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In ancient mythology, Mercury was known as the Messenger of the Gods. Mercury was viewed as a beautiful, swift, and known for his winged feet. He was a master of communication and overall anything requiring skill or dexterity, and Mercury was also the inventor of music, astronomy, and mathematics. In Roman times, Mercury also became known as the God of Thieves, having a reputation of being a cunning trickster. In astrology, Mercury is the planet that represents intelligence, communication, and how our minds work.

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In ancient Rome, Saturn wad a god of agriculture, liberation, and time. His reign was known as a Golden Age of peace and abundance, thus making him a god of wealth. The Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum held the state treasury. During what was most likely the most famous of the Roman Festivals, was the Saturnalia which took place in December celebrating Saturn. The Saturnalia was a tie of feasting, role reversal, free speech, gift giving, and revelry.

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