Concerts with works by

Gustav Holst

Daniel Harding conducts Holst’s “Planets”

With Gustav Holst’s atmospheric 1916 orchestral suite The Planets, Daniel Harding embarks on a cosmic musical journey through our solar system. Each of the seven planets has its own musical character, from rugged Mars to mystical Neptune. Holst was greatly inspired by Arnold Schoenberg’s Five Orchestral Pieces, which oscillate intriguingly between late Romanticism and Modernism. Completing the programme, Brett Dean’s Komarov’s Fall was commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2006 as a musical “asteroid” to Holst’s Planets.

“Ausklang” (Finale) Daniel Harding conducts Holst’s “Planets”

Welcome to the second instalment of our new series Ausklang! Each time, you can experience a short programme with a single orchestral work – but one that has it all. This time it’s Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets: a musical journey through our solar system, conducted by Daniel Harding. Each of the seven planets has its own musical character, from rugged Mars to mystical Neptune. Unusual orchestral effects are employed, inspiring many subsequent film music composers. After the concert, we invite you to enjoy a free drink in the foyer.

Daniel Harding conducts Holst’s “Planets”

With Gustav Holst’s atmospheric 1916 orchestral suite The Planets, Daniel Harding embarks on a cosmic musical journey through our solar system. Each of the seven planets has its own musical character, from rugged Mars to mystical Neptune. Holst was greatly inspired by Arnold Schoenberg’s Five Orchestral Pieces, which oscillate intriguingly between late Romanticism and Modernism. Completing the programme, Brett Dean’s Komarov’s Fall was commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2006 as a musical “asteroid” to Holst’s Planets.

Musik für Frauenstimmen

Works by Maria Xaveria Perucona, Johann Adolf Hasse, Gustav Holst, and Arvo Pärt, as well as piano music by Sofia Gubaidulina, Lera Auerbach, and Arvo Pärt.

Silesian String Quartet / British Fantasy on the 110th anniversary of the birth of Andrzej Panufnik

“Music is the expression of emotions and feelings. I hold as my ideal a piece in which poetic content is combined with excellence of musical craftmanship. Poetry alone does not determine the musical value of a piece, just as craftmanship alone risks falling into a pitfall of using worn-out formulas. Enduring beauty is only born from a balance of both” Andrzej Panufnik (1952) Silesian String Quartet – 45 years of experience, more than 150 first performances of chamber works, thousands of concerts in the world's most famous concert halls, more than 60 albums, more than 20 nominations, 10 ‘Fryderyk’ statuettes and the most important – the ‘musical Oscar’, i.e., the Gramophone Classical Music Award. The ensemble specialises in the discovery, promotion and recording of Polish music and is famous for its first performances under the guidance of composers. Ditching the traditional hierarchical model of performing music, the ensemble emphasises exchange and collaboration with other musicians. This season, the artists will introduce the work of Sir Andrzej Panufnik on the 110th anniversary of the birth of the only Polish composer to be awarded a title of nobility by Queen Elizabeth II. Composed in 1987, the sextet for strings was named Train of Thought by Andrzej Panufnik. However, the Polish title translation does not fully reflect the composer's intention. Indeed, his concept considers the ambiguity of the word 'train', which can mean both train as a means of locomotion and flow of thought. Hence, it has come to be accepted that the Polish title of this work can be roughly translated as The Flow of Thought. This composition was inspired by Panufnik's experiences during a train journey, the monotonous rhythm of which induced a train of thoughts. The piece's distinctive rhythmic element was based on the train wheels hitting the rails. Nevertheless, Panufnik's work differs significantly from Honegger's Pacific 2.3.1; instead, it presents a metaphor of picturesque and mysterious landscapes and thoughts passing through a person's mind, just as the ever-changing images seen from the windows of a train pass through. The programme will be complemented by works by native British composers Gustav Holst and Joseph Holbrooke. [Alexandra Kozowicz]Concert duration (intermission included): approximately 100 minutes

Gewandhaus-Bläserquintett

Cologne Citizens' Orchestra

Playing in an orchestra - for many Cologne residents, this wish is fulfilled in the Cologne Citizens' Orchestra, which the Gürzenich Orchestra founded in the 2019/20 season. The initiative is a matter close to the heart of the musicians in the orchestra. More than 40 of them are working on the works with the participants and supporting them in their preparations for the joint concert in the Kölner Philharmonie.

Holst, Gershwin and Martin with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Robert Ziegler leads you on a journey through space and time with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

London Symphony Orchestra: Family Concert – The Planets

A fun opportunity for families to learn more about music and the instruments of the orchestra, with music based on a theme and free workshops before the concert.

Rakhmaninov Holst

University concert & for all under 30s