Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

Composed by Gustav Holst between 1914 and 1916.
This is awesome.
And Eiji Oue is...entertaining to watch.
The spirit of this music is very much in keeping with the astrological significance of Jupiter as the planet of benevolence and generosity. This Jupiter has no thunderbolts to hurtle down on us, but only knowing smiles and a wink or two. He has come down from Olympus to flirt with beauties in the mortal realm and, if flirtation leads to something more, so much the better. We hear him chasing but not catching the ladies. The music emerges from its cavorting, twirling and gambolling out onto a central plateau of graceful dance music, then sinks back into the carefree patterns of before.
- Bryan Trussler

1 comment:

beatrice said...

wow, this is amazing. i'm astounded by music which is not only beautiful but is also descriptive. also love the conductor's head bobbing- pretty hilarious.