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Amazon.co.uk
Interest in this recording of The Planets will naturally gravitate towards Colin Matthews' addition to Holst's masterwork. Emerging imperceptibly out of "Neptune", Matthews' "Pluto" proves a highly imaginative essay, full of Holstian allusions, and the closing bars are magical ("almost as if "Neptune" had been quietly continuing in the background", to quote the composer's own eloquent booklet-notes). As for Mark Elder's account of the main work, it has heaps to commend it, not least a newly minted quality, delectable rhythmic snap and keen intelligence that really make you sit
Amazon.co.uk
Interest in this recording of The Planets will naturally gravitate towards Colin Matthews' addition to Holst's masterwork. Emerging imperceptibly out of "Neptune", Matthews' "Pluto" proves a highly imaginative essay, full of Holstian allusions, and the closing bars are magical ("almost as if "Neptune" had been quietly continuing in the background", to quote the composer's own eloquent booklet-notes). As for Mark Elder's account of the main work, it has heaps to commend it, not least a newly minted quality, delectable rhythmic snap and keen intelligence that really make you sit up. "Jupiter" especially is paced to swaggering perfection, and Elder and his dapper band generate a riveting sense of spectacle throughout (the climax of "Uranus", with its stunning organ glissando, simply takes the breath away). Sensibly, Hyperion assigns "Neptune" a separate track at the end of the disc so that the listener can easily programme Holst's original scheme, and there's also a rapt performance of the 1933 Lyric Movement for viola and small orchestra, a late work of rarefied beauty. Boasting wonderfully realistic, beautifully balanced sonics (you'll need to listen at a slightly higher volume than usual for maximum impact), this is a winner all the way. --Andrew Achenbach
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Manufacturer: Hyperion
Release date: 18 June 2001
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 0034571172705 UPC: 034571172705
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