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On this page you will find videos and questions to help guide you through Gustav Holst's composition The Planets. As you listen, think about how the music is created to match the title of the piece.

There are 8 planets in our Solar System. From closet to the sun to farthest away they are:

Mercury - Venus - Earth - Mars - Jupiter - Saturn - Uranus - Neptune

Watch this video to help you remember all of them!

Now that you know the names of the planets, let's learn some more about them by watching the video below.

You can learn more about Gustav Holst by clicking here and here.

Gustav Holst was born in England on September 21, 1874. He composed many different styles of music but he is most know for his classical music. Gustav Holst is most well-known for his musical suite known as "The Planets". Mr. Holst wrote a movement, or song, for each of the planets except for Earth. He chose one characteristic of each planet, what they meant to him, and created music to match their unique personality.

Question: How Many movements did Mr. Holst compose?

(Click here for the answer)

7 (Seven). There are 8 (eight) planets but he did not compose a movement for Earth.

Time to Listen!

As you listen to each song feel free to

Close your eyes and use your imagination to travel to the planet
Try to find the steady beat and tap it on your legs. Is there a steady beat? Why or why not?
Think about the title and how Gustav Holst uses the music to match the description of the planet.

Mercury

(The Winged Messenger)

Mercury is the smallest planet and has the shortest orbit around the sun. The song is fast to match the orbit. Holst thought Mercury was a tricky, fast planet. See if you can hear the different meters and ascending and descending patterns.

Can you picture someone flying around Mercury?

Do you think there is a secret message in the song being passed to all of the other planets?

Venus

(The Bringer of Peace)

As you listen, see if you can hear the individual instruments take turns performing solos. These solos represent our responsibility to love and create harmony in the world.

How did the composer make this song sound peaceful?

Mars

(The Bringer of War)

Listen carefully to see if you can hear people marching and tanks rolling.

Mars is known as "The Red Planet". What does the color red make you think of?

How do the dynamic, tempo, and instruments make the song sound like it is "the bringer of war"?

Click here to read Miss Culleton's thoughts on Mars.

The color red makes me think that something dangerous is happening. Red makes me think of violence, war, and anger. These are all things that could help me to remember that The Red Planet (Mars) is titled "The Bringer of War".

Gustav Holst uses loud dynamic and a fast tempo to help create the sounds of war. He also uses special drums known as timpani.

Jupiter

(The Bringer of Jollity)

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It is thought to bring power and jollity, or a lively and cheerful attitude (kind of like Santa).

What do you hear in the music that makes it sounds joyful?

Saturn

(The Bringer of Old Age)

How does this song sound old?

Uranus

(The Magician)

Gustav Holst believed Uranus had magical powers.

As you listen, try to picture a magician.

Click here to read Miss Culleton's thoughts on Uranus.

I always picture a magician when I listen to this piece (like Mickey in Fantasia's The Sorcerer's Apprentice). Notice how the music breaks into a march and then gets suddenly quieter? That is almost like the trick of a magician.

Neptune

(The Mystic)

Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun. How does the music show that Neptune is far away?

Think about the tempo and dynamics.

Share your Knowledge.

Now it is time to decide how you would like to share your musical ideas. Click on the "Assignment" page to choose your "best fit".

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