ISAO TOMITA

ISAO TOMITA
HOLST: THE PLANETS (1976)
320 KBPS

This 1976 release by Japanese electronic composer Isao Tomita presents his all-electronic adaptation of The Planets Op. 32, which was written during 1914-1916 by British composer Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934). Holst is best known for this orchestral suite, although he hated the publicity it generated. As a huge fan of 1970's progressive rock, I have listened to my fair share of prog rock bands interpreting bits and pieces of The Planets, e.g. King Crimson, Morgan etc., so an electronic version of the entire work really piqued my curiosity.
Isao plays what sounds like an RMI electric harpsichord, pipe organ, string synthesizer (I think), in addition to the mini-moog synthesizer, which is an instrument that seems to generate an infinite number of sounds, at least in his hands. The sounds of the moog synthesizer dominate this recording and evoke the vacuum and cold of outer space, but are also quite sensitive as well. The seven pieces range in length from 5'22" to 17'26", are blended together (unlike the original) and cover a range of moods and dynamics - much like the original work. Isao injects his own personality into each piece, so I found the listening experience to be very interesting, and at times pretty funny (he has a great sense of humor).
Mars has been called the most devastating piece of music ever written and I think that Isao more or less pulls this piece off, although there are some slightly silly sounding synthesizer tones that render the piece as somewhat less than devastating. Venus was intended to be a dreamy and airy movement and Isao does an incredible job with spacey synth textures. This is my favorite movement and probably the most successful. Mercury - Isao certainly had a lot of fun with this, and the synth sounds are pretty bouncy and vibrant, without being goofy. Jupiter represents the prime of life. Isao injects a little humor into Jupiter by using a synth tone that sounds like a human voice humming the central melody. Saturn was Holst's personal favorite and was intended to show that old age is not always peaceful and happy. I think that Isao conveys this pretty darn well with some creepy and occasionally agitated synth textures. Uranus is a quirky scherzo that displays very odd sounding synth tones and percussion before the tranquility of the closing movement Neptune, which features an electronic version of the female choir included in the original work.
While some movements work better than others, I think that overall, this is a great adaptation of a very important work. Recommended to electronica fans.

1. Mars, The Bringer of War
2. Venus, The Bringer of Peace
3. Mercury, The Winged Messenger
4. Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity; Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age
5. Uranus, The Magician; Neptune, The Mystic