Holst: The Planets, Op. 32, H. 125 & The Perfect Fool Suite, Op. 39, H. 150

“…While not perhaps unseating some of the great readings of the past, this is still in the upper echelons of recordings of The Planets, and it goes without saying that the customarily panoramic Reference Recordings aural palette does full justice to the composer’s still astonishing (and much-imitated) orchestration. This hybrid SACD release was recorded in the acoustically splendid Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The producer was the multi-award-winning David Frost, with the legendary Technical Director Keith O. Johnson working with engineer Sean Martin. The results speak for themselves.”

“… Michael Stern’s interpretation of the Planets is brilliant and very lively, relying on the musicians from Kansas. Warm high, powerful low strings, brilliant wood and opulent brass bring everything the Holst composition needs. Holst’s comic opera, The Perfect Fool, written 1918-22, begins with a ballet danced by the spirits of the earth, water and fire. A magician conjures the earth spirits with the sound of the trombone. When the clumsy dance reaches its climax, the earth spirits scurry underground, leaving the solo viola to call up the Spirits of the Water who bring ‘the essence of love’. With the abrupt arrival of the Spirits of Fire the third dance crackles back to life. The Kansas City Symphony plays the almost 11-minute piece in a spectacular interpretation with enchantingly tender sounds as well as a brilliant élan.” ****