The Planets Cover Image

The Planets: Flexible Band/String Ensemble Score & Parts

$75.00 USD
$75.00 USD
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The Planets Cover Image
The Planets: Flexible Band/String Ensemble Score & Parts

The Planets: Flexible Band/String Ensemble Score & Parts

By Gustav Holst / arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Grade: 2

Item: 00-50931
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Description
Gustav Holst has long been revered as a master composer. His work transcribes wonderfully for concert band. Douglas Wagner has chosen portions of The Planets to create a through-played medley for young band in FLEX format. The arrangement contains the themes from "Venus, the Bringer of Peace"; "Mars, the Bringer of War"; and "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity." The best of Holst arranged especially for your young band. (4:00)

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Additional Details
Series: Belwin Young Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
ISBN10: 1-4706-6566-2
ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6566-1
UPC: 038081583730
SKU: 00-50931

More about this title

About the Composer: Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer whose orchestral suite The Planets stands as one of the most performed works of the twentieth century. Though trained in the Romantic tradition, Holst developed a compositional voice marked by bold orchestration, modal harmony, and vivid programmatic imagery that influenced generations of composers and arrangers.

Holst spent much of his career as a teacher and conductor, holding positions at St. Paul's Girls' School in London for nearly three decades. His commitment to music education shaped not only his teaching but also his approach to composition, resulting in works that balance artistic integrity with accessibility for developing musicians.

Why we love this

Douglas Wagner's arrangement captures the iconic strength of Holst's original themes while honoring the Grade 2 ensemble's technical capacity. The medley structure allows young musicians to experience three distinct musical characters in a single cohesive performance, and the flexible instrumentation ensures every section contributes meaningfully regardless of your band's instrumentation.

What to expect

A journey through three contrasting worlds. Venus unfolds with serene grace and sustained harmonies; Mars erupts in rhythmic vitality and percussive drive; Jupiter radiates warmth and triumph. The through-composed arc gives young musicians a sense of narrative and purpose beyond individual technique.

Who it's for

Young concert bands at the Grade 2 level seeking to perform major orchestral repertoire with manageable technical demands. This arrangement also works for mixed ensembles balancing band and string players, thanks to its flexible scoring.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the thematic material across your ensemble so no single voice dominates the familiar melodies. The brass may carry the tune, but supporting harmonies in woodwinds and lower voices need presence.
  • Use the percussion accompaniment tracks to establish steady tempo and groove, especially through the Mars section where rhythmic drive is essential.
  • Attend to the emotional arc across the three movements. Venus requires restraint and lyrical phrasing; Mars demands intensity and precision; Jupiter rewards breadth and celebration. Make the transitions between them audible.

How to use it

Anchor a concert celebrating famous orchestral masterworks, or program it alongside original band compositions to show how standards get adapted for young ensembles. At four minutes, it fits naturally as a substantial centerpiece without monopolizing your rehearsal time.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining lyrical phrasing across phrase boundaries
  • Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
  • Balancing melody and accompaniment within sections
  • Reading flexible instrumentation charts and doubling parts
  • Responding to programmatic contrasts (peaceful, aggressive, joyful)

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