Zubin Mehta & Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra Holst The Planets

The Absolute Sound 40th Anniversary Best Sounding Music!
180 Gram Vinyl! TAS Recommended!
Rated a 'Best Audiophile Label Recording' in the November 2009 issue of The Absolute Sound!
Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra with the Los Angeles Chorale (female section), Roger Wagner, music director. A rather late-model (1971) London release that continually adorns most critical and audiophile "greatest" lists. Begun in 1914 and debuting in 1919, this piece is considered Gustav Holst's pinnacle work. It's rich and extravagant scoreing pushes the orchestra under Mehta's knowledgeable skill, instilling visions of each planet in the solar system. The recording is clear and transparent, reminiscent of the London/Decca golden recording period.
The Earth was not created in a day. The same applies to Gustav Holst's interplanetary symphony, the formation of which extends over a period of about three years. In gigantic orchestration and with rich musical means, the composer creates his sounding psychogram for each individual celestial body.
Mars, the bearer of war, rages with mechanical brutality, Venus is conciliatory and life-affirming. Mercury, the messenger of the gods, scurries silvery and swift through space, while Jupiter exudes cheerfulness and confidence in a powerful, generous ruler pose. Saturn drags past with heavy steps. Uranus remains enigmatic and extroverted in shrill dynamic changes. And because the most distant Pluto had not yet been discovered, only Neptune could be the great unknown, lost in the endless ostinato of the women's choir in the universe.
Zubin Mehta and his Philharmoniker circle this astronomy in a tense and precise way, leaving neither time nor space for astrological speculation. The usual excellent sound technology from DECCA also provides a fog-free insight into the musical galaxy.
Holst: "The Planets" (Suite)– Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta.
This Speakers Corner production was manufactured using analog masterband and mastering 100% purely analog. All licenses and GEMA contributions have been paid.

Features:

• 180 Gram Vinyl

Musicians:

• Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
• Zubin Mehta, conductor
• Los Angeles Master Chorale (Female voices of)

Selections:

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
The Planets - Suite
Side A
1. Mars, The Bringer Of War - Allegro
2. Venus, The Bringer Of Peace - Adagio
3. Mercury, The Winged Messenger - Vivace
4. Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity - Allegro Giocoso
Side B
1. Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age - Adagio
2. Uranus, The Magician - Allegro
3. Neptune, The Mystic - Andante

Recording: April 1971 at Royce Hall, Los Angeles by James Lock and Colin Moorfoot / Production: John Mordler