A Cosmic Journey at the Proms: Holst's "The Planets" Takes Centre Stage

This Sunday, 25 August, the BBC Proms ventures into the celestial realms with a captivating programme featuring British composer Gustav Holst's iconic "The Planets".

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Prom 46: A Cosmic Tapestry

Today's concert (Prom 46) invites audiences on a journey through the wonders of nature and the cosmos. The evening begins with a world premiere performance of "Laulut maaseudulta (‘Songs from the Countryside’)", a BBC commission by Finnish-American composer Lara Poe.

The programme then shifts focus to Finland with Sibelius's graceful tone poem "The Wood Nymph". Composed in 1894, it paints a vivid, atmospheric picture of Finnish nature and folklore, foreshadowing Sibelius's mastery in creating evocative musical landscapes.

The evening's highlight, however, is Gustav Holst's "The Planets", a hugely popular symphonic suite depicting our celestial neighbours. Composed between 1914 and 1917, "The Planets" comprises seven movements, each named after and depicting a different planet in the solar system. Notably absent is Earth, while Pluto, yet to be discovered, is not featured.

Each movement embodies the astrological character of its designated planet. The opening movement "Mars, the Bringer of War", mirroring the planet's warlike astrological properties, is pounding and aggressive, driven by a vigorous martial rhythm and a heavy use of percussion and brass. In contrast, the following movement "Venus, the Bringer of Peace" is calm and reflective, with harp, strings, and woodwinds taking centre stage.

A Stellar Cast

The evening's performers include the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra, the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, and Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo. Oramo, familiar to British audiences, particularly those of the BBC Proms, has led both the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Finnish soprano Anu Komsi joins the orchestra for "Laulut maaseudulta (‘Songs from the Countryside’)", while the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir contributes to "The Planets", with a wordless melody for female chorus in "Neptune".

Timing and Ticket Information

Prom 46 begins at 7.30 pm. Tickets for the concert are available between £11 and £54.

As the BBC Proms embarks on its exploration of the cosmos, audiences are in for a truly captivating and unforgettable musical journey.