York2 - Holst: The Planets - Bowen: Suite in 3 Movements (2011)

Tracklist

01. The Planets, Op. 32: I. Mars, the Bringer of War
02. The Planets, Op. 32: II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace
03. The Planets, Op. 32: III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger
04. The Planets, Op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
05. The Planets, Op. 32: V. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
06. The Planets, Op. 32: VI. Uranus, the Magician
07. The Planets, Op. 32: VII. Neptune, the Mystic
08. Suite in Three Movements, Op. 52: I. Prelude, Moderato e maestoso
09. Suite in Three Movements, Op. 52: II. Dance, Allegro vivo
10. Suite in Three Movements, Op. 52: III. Nocturne, Poco lento
11. Suite No. 2, Op. 71: III. Finale, Moto perpetuo

The English composer Gustav Holst achieved fame primarily through his monumental orchestral suite “The Planets,” which remains one of the most frequently performed orchestral works in the English-speaking world to this day. Composed for a large symphony orchestra between 1914 and 1916, Holst’s work is based on the idea of assigning a character to each planet in our solar system and portraying it musically. The distinct characteristics of the planets are expressed through an orchestration that ranges from the most tender, muted string sounds to a dramatic and fantastical orchestral sound. This recording by York2 is a version for four hands on one piano. York2 enjoys an outstanding reputation as the “somewhat different duo,” a reputation they have earned thanks to John and Fiona’s performances of large-scale and contemporary scores alongside their extensive and better-known duet repertoire. They have performed concerts for organizations and festivals in the United Kingdom and Australia, have been featured on BBC Radio 3, CBC TV, and at the Salzburg Festival, and have performed at the Barbican Centre and London’s Southbank Centre.