The canon of instrumental music is full of works that have changed the way cultures have viewed the music of their generation. For England, Gustav Holst's The Planets is one of these works. England's musical development had been relatively none existent after Henry Purcell in the Baroque period. Between Holst and Vaughan Williams, England came to the forefront of the music scene that had been dominated by Germany and France.
The Planets became one of Europe's most popular pieces of the 20th century. This work did a lot in the life of Gustav Holst and the people of England as a whole. Having only minimal success in his composition career up until this work, Holst was going through a difficult and depressing time in his life when he composed The Planets. Though the work threw him into instant popularity, Holst eventually admitted to feeling like The Planets did not fully express who he was as a composer. It is even said that by the end of his life, he did not even like the work that would be his lasting legacy. Though Holst may have grown tired of it, audiences today still adore this work and its emotion evoking power.
The Planets became one of Europe's most popular pieces of the 20th century. This work did a lot in the life of Gustav Holst and the people of England as a whole. Having only minimal success in his composition career up until this work, Holst was going through a difficult and depressing time in his life when he composed The Planets. Though the work threw him into instant popularity, Holst eventually admitted to feeling like The Planets did not fully express who he was as a composer. It is even said that by the end of his life, he did not even like the work that would be his lasting legacy. Though Holst may have grown tired of it, audiences today still adore this work and its emotion evoking power.
