'THE PLANETS' by GUSTAV HOLST Flashcards
How many movements in this piece?
7
Which 2 planets are missing?
EARTH, PLUTO
When were these pieces composed?
1914 just before the outbreak of WWI
Who was Holst?
An English Romantic Composer
When did Holst live?
Between 1874-1934
Thinking about ‘Mars’ how do the elements in the music make describe this scenario?
A rhythm which quickly swaps from loud to quiet. It has an increasing dynamic.
Describe the dynamics of the ‘Mars’ extract
Piano, Forte, Fortissimo, Pianissimo = PFFP
What is significant of the time signature for the ‘Mars’ extract?
This time signature has an unsettling feeling due to its irregular number of beats.
What is the musical name for repeating a pattern?
Ostinato
What instruments can you hear in ‘Mars’
Piano, Violins, Trumpets, Cello and Drums
The violins in ‘Mars’ play using a technique called CON LEGNO - what does this mean?
Playing with the wood of the bow.
Thinking about ‘VENUS’, what is the name of the solo instrument at the start?
French Horn
What is the tonality of the ‘Venus’ extract? (Major or minor)
Major
What instruments are not being used in ‘Venus’ that were used in ‘Mars’?
Piano, Harp, Timpani, Cymbals, Clarinets
What is the tempo of the movement for ‘Venus’?
Largo
Thinking about ‘MERCURY’, what note value has the composer used at the start?
Semi-quaver
What is the pitch mainly in the piece, ‘Mercury’?
High
What is the tempo of the movement for ‘Mercury’
Presto
What instruments play the morse code theme in ‘Mercury’?
Violin, Viola, Glockenspeil
Can you match the Planets to the Roman Gods?
- Mars - The Bringer of War
- Venus - The Bringer of Peace
- Mercury - The Winged Messenger
- Jupiter - King of the Gods and Bringer of Joy
- Saturn - The Bringer of Old Age
- Uranus - The Magician
- Neptune - The Mystic
Who composed the music entitle ‘The Planets’?
Gustav Holst
How many planets did Holst write about?
7
When was this piece of music written?
1914 - The Romantic Period
What style of music was this written in?
Suite
What does the term ‘tempo’ mean?
Speed of the music
What does the term ‘andante’ mean?
At a walking pace
What does the term ‘dynamics’ mean?
The volume of the music
What does the term ‘piano’ mean?
Quiet
What does the term ‘pianissimo’ mean?
Very quiet
