Program Notes by Lucinda Mosher, Th.D.

When, in 1915 Gustav Holst set to composing what he titled simply Seven Pieces for Large Orchestra, he had recently become enthralled by astrology. Each movement of this new work would be a tonal portrait of a planet's psychological influence. The suite was completed in 1916. Its official premiere was in 1920, but portions were performed earlier. Our concert today features the first, second and fourth movements.

Defiant and fiery, Mars, the Bringer of War pulses steadily in quintuple meter (that is, five beats to the measure). Enter the brass with a series of brilliant fanfares. A grand pause allows for collective breath catching. Sound resumes, but lugubriously. Listen for the return of the main theme, this time reinforced by the brass and pulsating percussion. The movement ends with a super-loud series of terrifying dissonant chords!