The Planets
This post is part of a series entitled Dinner Table Reflections designed to help families engage with works of art together, instilling in children Truth, Goodness, and Beauty while cultivating a habit of regular contemplation and discussion.
The Planets is a musical suite by Gustav Holst, comprised of seven movements totaling less than one hour. Each movement is inspired by the astrological character associated with the name of a planet in our solar system.
Take a few minutes to identify a freely listenable set of the songs (there are a multitude as the music is in the public domain although certain performances may still be copyrighted) and bookmark it to share with your family. Then plan to listen to these at whatever pacing is best for your family 鈥 one each night, two paired together, spread out over a few weeks, or back-to-back each evening. As you listen to each suite, let the conversation flow naturally but here are some question prompts to use as needed and if beneficial:
- Play the music prior to revealing the title so your family can focus upon the mood the music inspires in the listener.
- If desired, share the list (of all or some) of the titles so that they can pick which one they believe best fits.
- How does the composer use different rhythms and sounds to represent different messages?
- E.g., what distinguishes a messenger (light and quick) from the bringer of war?
- Are any pieces contrasts to each other? How so?
- After listening to a few, do you have one you enjoy for a specific reason?
- After listening to each of them, consider playing a short piece to see if your children can recognize/recall which planet it is. Discuss with them how/why they were able to recognize it 鈥 what made them recall that?
- For those musically knowledgeable, discuss the different time signatures between planets and in some cases within the same song or even at the same time!
Some detailed specifics for some of the songs:
- How does the composer use brass instruments in “Mars” to inspire a different emotion than the flutes and strings of “Venus?”
- (For those that have watched Star Wars with their children) Why do you think the composer for Star Wars borrowed so heavily from “Mars?”
- While the music is often known by phrases such as “Bringer of War” or “The Magician”, how does each relate to another astrological parallel:
- Mercury 鈥 communication
- Venus 鈥 love
- Mars 鈥 activity
- Jupiter 鈥 expansion
- Saturn 鈥 restriction
- Uranus 鈥 revolution
- Neptune – imagination
As always, there is no need for right answers, only reflection, contemplation, and conversation.
Wish to read more? Visit the full list of Dinner Table Reflections here!
Disclaimer: The above article solely represents the views of the author and does not represent any endorsement or statement by the Academy. Read more here.
