If this were to be the only recording of The Planets you ever heard, it would be enough.
Vernon Handley's clear, firm leadership combined with the
Royal Philharmonic's colorful, virtuosic musicianship results in a wonderfully evocative and powerful rendition of
Holst's well-worn score. Producer Alan Peters' 1993 digital sound is big, wide, and very loud. The additions of
Barry Wordsworth and the
Royal Philharmonic's lively and warmhearted 1993 and 1994 recordings of
Holst's St. Paul's Suite and Brook Green Suites give The Planets attractive couplings and the disc ample playing time. Indeed, while acquaintance with this disc might send you looking for either more recordings of The Planets, more recordings of
Holst, or both, it's unlikely you'll meet many finer performances. Some might understandably prefer the authority of
Adrian Boult's recordings since he gave the work its premiere and continued to champion it through his long career, but since
Handley was
Boult's protégée, the line of musical succession is clear, and
Handley's more energetic interpretation may plausibly cast the deciding vote in his favor.