Holst – The Planets

Exultate Singers
City of Bristol Choir
Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra
James Gilchrist tenor
Conducted by David Ogden and Tim Harrison

Gustav Holst The Planets Suite
Gerald Finzi Intimations of Immortality
Hans Zimmer Earth

Three of Bristol’s leading ensembles collaborate for an unforgettable concert in the newly refurbished Bristol Beacon concert hall.

First performed in Gloucester Cathedral in 1950, Intimations of Immortality by Gerald Finzi is a setting of a poem by William Wordsworth. The words passionately describe a heavenly vision of nature, expressing how the beauty and joy of the natural world can ignite memories of our childhood and make connections to our own souls and lives. The internationally-renowned tenor James Gilchrist sings the solo in this rarely-performed masterpiece.

The 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst’s birth is marked with a performance of one of the most famous of all orchestral works. The Planets Suite brings to life the character of our galaxy through sound, each movement depicting a planet of our solar system.  The contrasting moods and orchestral colours relate either to the planets’ astrological characteristics, or to the Roman god of that name.  From the relentless march of war-like Mars to the sweeping and expansive theme that identifies Jupiter, the work ends sublimely with the orchestra accompanied by a wordless chorus of sopranos and altos spaced around the auditorium embracing the audience in the mystical sounds of Neptune.

Completing the programme is Earth by TV and film composer Hans Zimmer. Known for his music for Blue Planet II, Gladiator, The Last Samurai, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight trilogy, Dunkirk, and No Time to Die, this piece is a celebration for choir and orchestra of the beautiful planet we live on. With his trademark sense of scale and drama, the composer perfectly captures the majesty and beauty of our home, as if seen from space.

Tickets £15 to £28 for adults; under 26 year olds half price, available online at bristolbeacon.org, by phone on 0117 203 4040 and over the counter at Bristol Beacon.
Plus Bristol Beacon booking fee of 9%

We are very grateful to Paragon Music Trust and the Finzi Trust for the financial support that they have given us for this event.