From the thunderous march of war to the shimmer of distant stars, Gustav Holst’s The Planets remains one of the most awe-inspiring orchestral journeys ever composed. From May 2–4, 2025, the Colorado Symphony invites audiences to Boettcher Concert Hall for a trio of performances that promise to be both a cosmic adventure and a musical revelation, conducted by dynamic guest conductor Eric Jacobsen.
Written between 1914 and 1917, Holst’s seven-movement suite captures not the physical planets themselves, but their astrological “personalities.” The result is a stunningly imaginative sonic exploration that has captivated audiences for over a century — and influenced everything from film scores to progressive rock.
Each movement is a world of its own:
Mars, the Bringer of War
The suite opens with relentless, pounding rhythms and jagged dissonance, music that eerily anticipated the mechanized horrors of World War I. Holst called Mars “the most ferocious piece I have ever written,” and it remains one of the most fearsome openings in classical music. With its five-beat pulse and aggressive brass, it’s an unstoppable force, evoking the chaos and inevitability of conflict. Listeners won’t be able to help but notice the influence this piece had on the music of science fiction epics from Star Wars to Star Trek.
Venus, the Bringer of Peace
After the fury of Mars, Venus offers a balm. Lush strings, gentle harp arpeggios, and lyrical solos from horn and woodwinds create a warm, radiant atmosphere. It’s serenity in sound — not naïve, but deeply felt — a vision of peace as something tender, delicate, and hard-won.
Mercury, the Winged Messenger
This brief, sparkling scherzo is the most elusive movement of the suite. Fleet-footed and mercurial, it dances between keys and textures with dazzling agility. Holst paints Mercury as a playful and unpredictable spirit — light, quick, and endlessly fascinating.
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Arguably the heart of the suite, Jupiter bursts with exuberance and grandeur. Its famous middle section — later adapted into the hymn “I Vow to Thee, My Country” — provides a soaring, noble contrast to the movement’s boisterous energy. It’s a portrait of joy that is both regal and raucous.
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
Holst’s own favorite movement, Saturn unfolds as a slow procession. At first austere and ponderous, it gradually intensifies into a tolling, almost cosmic inevitability — the passage of time made music. But rather than ending in despair, Saturn resolves into a mysterious calm, as though accepting mortality with grace.
Uranus, the Magician
Full of swagger and surprises, Uranus opens with a bold four-note motif before launching into an eccentric romp that suggests a kind of cosmic sorcerer at work. With a huge orchestral palette and sudden shifts in mood and meter, Holst conjures a magical spirit who is as theatrical as he is powerful.
Neptune, the Mystic
The suite ends not with fanfare, but with mystery. Soft, slow, and shimmering, Neptune fades into the distance with an otherworldly atmosphere that feels like it’s dissolving into the cosmos. Holst included an offstage female chorus for this movement, creating a ghostly final effect and a haunting farewell to Earthbound sound.
“This is a piece that still sounds futuristic. It has this incredible range — from visceral power to the most intimate kind of wonder. Every movement feels like it’s stretching the limits of what an orchestra can do.”
Eric Jacobsen, Guest Conductor
Guest conductor Eric Jacobsen brings a fresh perspective to this beloved work. Already well-established as one of classical music’s most exciting and innovative young conductors, Jacobsen combines fresh interpretations of the traditional canon with cutting-edge collaborations across musical genres as music director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Hailed by the New York Times as “an interpretive dynamo,” Eric, as both a conductor and a cellist, has built a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and collaborative programming. His interpretation promises to illuminate both the emotional depth and the structural brilliance of Holst’s music.
Don’t Miss the Journey!
Whether you come for the thrill of Mars, the majesty of Jupiter, or the mysticism of Neptune, The Planets offers something truly unforgettable
