Holst: The Planets – Deborah Cheetham Fraillon: Earth - Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst's iconic orchestral suite "The Planets" is reimagined in this captivating 2025 release by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, featuring the brilliant soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon. This album presents a unique blend of Holst's original compositions and Fraillon's new work, "Earth," creating a celestial journey through sound.

Spanning 59 minutes, the album opens with the powerful and dramatic "Mars, the Bringer of War," followed by the serene and peaceful "Venus, the Bringer of Peace." The lively and playful "Mercury, the Winged Messenger" and the majestic "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" showcase the orchestra's versatility and skill. The haunting "Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age," the mystical "Uranus, the Magician," and the ethereal "Neptune, the Mystic" complete Holst's suite, each movement a distinct and vivid portrayal of its namesake planet.

Deborah Cheetham Fraillon's "Earth" adds a contemporary and deeply personal dimension to the album. This new composition is a tribute to the natural world and its inhabitants, featuring the Upper Voices of the MSO Chorus and showcasing Fraillon's stunning vocal talents.

Conducted by Jaime Martín and released under the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra label, this album is a testament to the enduring power of classical music and the innovative spirit of its performers. Whether you're a longtime fan of Holst's work or new to the world of classical music, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.

Gustav Holst, born in Cheltenham in 1874, was an English composer whose name is synonymous with his monumental orchestral suite "The Planets." While this work remains his most celebrated, Holst's compositional journey was marked by a rich blend of influences, from the grandeur of Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss to the folk revival of early 20th-century England and the modernist innovations of composers like Maurice Ravel. His music transcends mere notes on a page, offering a deep dive into his passions for Eastern mysticism, astronomy, and literature. Despite battling health issues, including neuritis and partial deafness, Holst's output was prolific and diverse, spanning various genres and leaving an indelible mark on the classical music landscape. Beyond "The Planets," his works like "Savitri" and "The Hymn of Jesus" showcase his unique style and innovative orchestration, making him one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.