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The composite above shows the Sun and the 5 largest planets.
(Earth is the tiny spot between Jupiter and the Sun).
 

Gustav Holst began to compose "The Planets" in 1914 after a trip to Spain. On his trip, a friend interested him in astrology. Holst used astrological descriptions of the planets to inspire him. Click here for more information.

There are seven movements in "The Planets". Each movement is named for one of the planets. 

Mars, the Bringer of War
Venus, the Bringer of Peace
Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
Uranus, the Magician
Neptune, the Mystic

You might wonder why Holst left out Pluto, click here to find out!

Holst finished composing "The Planets" in 1916. People enjoyed "The Planets" and it became one of his most popular works. It was not Holst's favorite composition though. He thought that it didn't really show what kind of a composer he was.

Learn more about Holst's "The Planets" by clicking on the name of the planet above.

Click here for a printable listening guide.