Track 1: The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125: No. 1, "Mars, the Bringer of War"
Track 2: The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125: No. 2, "Venus, the Bringer of Peace"
Track 3: The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125: No. 3, "Mercury, the Winged Messenger"
Track 4: The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125: No. 4, "Jupiter, the Bringer of Peace"
Track 5: The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125: No. 5, "Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age"
Track 6: The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125: No. 6, "Uranus, the Magician"
Track 7: The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125: No. 7, "Neptune, the Mystic" (w/hidden 8-part female chorus)
Track 8: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, film score: Suite from the film score
Track 9: Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope, film score: Main title

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

Album Description
Holst: The Planets

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 30 reviews)

"Jupiter" crashes and burns! by J. R. Lewis (Philadelphia,PA USA)

3 Stars
November 07, 2009
This is a reasonably decent version of Holst's masterpiece, but there are many superior versions available at all price levels. "A. Customer's" 3-star review lists excellent alternative renditions (I own them all). I would also list Stokowski's interesting 1956 performance with the same orchestra on EMI. What really killed this for me was "Jupiter." the centerpiece of the suite and many listeners' favorite. At its' concluding climax, Mehta completely loses control of the orchestra, and the music disintegrates into a real train wreck. Think of the L.A. Philharmonic, all sections playing at full tilt, collectively falling down a flight of stairs. A great performance of "The Planets" cannot be without a great performance of "Jupiter." Check out the alternatives.

The Planets are out there and in you by bernie (Arlington, Texas)

5 Stars
October 15, 2009
As with anything that touches upon the eternal, after the technical is accomplished, then it is a matter of preference. Here we have the Herbert Von Karajan version. Placed side-by-side with any other version the technical parts are excellent. You are immediately taken to that other world as Mars takes over. You may be able to argue minor differences but then you are not listening to it. The tough call is preference; most people prefer the version with which they grew up. Others may have some preferences based on what they should like. Listen to this and make up your own mind. During the process of listening, thinking about the music and noticing how Holst capture the mood of each planet, note that he did not make up the concepts of which planet was War, Peace, Messenger, etc. They are the definitions of the original gods that the planets were named after. Each god had the attributes we see given to the planets. You may want to read about them and then come back to the music. Holst: The Planets / R. Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Love This Music by C. Kruschke (Tucson, AZ United States)

5 Stars
June 26, 2009
I'm not a big classical music fan - I love all types of music. However, I love to listen to this symphony, suite, whatever (not 100% on the music term). When I was a kid, these songs were so ubiquitous, they were the bumper songs on the 6 & 10:00 news of two different local TV stations. All of them are great especially "Mars" and "Jupiter" which are my favorites. I've probably listened to this on 8-track, cassette, and DVD hundreds of time. Good Stuff!

Not heard Zubin Mehta's performance by Mr. Carl G. Tuckwell (Sydney, Australia)

4 Stars
June 05, 2009
Haven't heard Zubin Mehta's performance (I do like his work), but Holst's The Planets is a truly satisfying & inspiring listening experience. I've only heard it live once - at the Sydney Opera House by the Sydney Symphony / Edo de Waart(?) in the mid-late 1990s. Very impressive. It seemed to me I could almost touch the music in 'the air' (so to speak). So, without having heard this orchestra's performance, I do recommend it.

Not rated for the performance but the quality of the mix by Code Monkey (Los Angeles)

3 Stars
May 20, 2009
I caught some production errors in tracks. It sounded like microphones from different sections are exchanged in the middle of one of the Planet pieces. It's pretty evident to a trained ear; however, I don't suspect most people will notice it. I was a bit surprised what the mixer thought he could get away with. In anycase I can't give it a glowing 5 like other reviewers. But for the price, one can't complain too much.

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	The Planets in Full Score by Gustav Holst (Author) Spectacular symphonic suite, scored for large orchestral forces and a wordless chorus, is divided into seven movements, the music of each embodying the astrological and mystical qualities of a different planet. Remarkable emotional sweep and innovative techniques have made the work a staple of the orchestral repertoire. Only full-size score available.