Symphony Listening Program - Holst
- What
- Symphony Listening Program - Holst
- When
- 2/13/2026
Day 1: This week's feature composer is Gustav Holst (GOO-staff Hohlst). The feature composition is Mercury from The Planets. Holst wanted to use musical ideas to describe the mythology connected with the names of the planets Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Mercury is the "Winged Messenger." Holst decided to create music that would match the spirit of Mercury. He wrote his music to be colourful and powerful but to always feel on the move.
Day 2: This week's feature composer is Gustav Holst. The feature composition is Mercury from The Planets. Holst wanted to create music that would match the spirit of Mercury. In mythology, Mercury is the "Winged Messenger" so Holst designed his music to feel very active. He used mostly shorter notes and faster rhythms. Holst created the feeling of air currents, flying, and hovering by combining just a few instruments at a time.
Day 3: This week's feature composer is Gustav Holst. The feature composition is Mercury from The Planets. In mythology, Mercury is the "Winged Messenger." Holst thought about how he could use the instruments to create the feeling of flying on the air currents, hovering, and landing. He decided to make his music very active. He used mostly shorter notes and phrases and faster rhythms. Holst usually combined just a few instruments at any one time. About halfway into his piece, Holst decided to use all the instruments for a brief, but powerful moment. Holst allows us to wonder what was happening at that moment.
Day 4: This week's feature composer is Gustav Holst. The feature composition is Mercury from The Planets. Holst thought carefully about how to use music to create the spirit and energy of Mercury, the "Winged Messenger." He used mostly shorter notes, rising melodies, and fast rhythms. Usually, Holst combined just a few instruments at a time. He knew that this would give us the feeling of air currents, flying, hovering, and landing. He left us to wonder: What message is Mercury carrying? Who will receive it? Will they be pleased or angry?
Day 5: This week's composition is Mercury from The Planets. Do you remember the composer's name? (Short pause.) That's right, Gustav Holst. Holst thought carefully about how to use music to create the spirit and energy of Mercury, the "Winged Messenger." He used mostly shorter notes, rising melodies, and fast rhythms to give us the feeling of air currents, flying, hovering, and landing. He makes us wonder what message Mercury is carrying and who it is for?