Holst’s The Planets

The London Philharmonic Orchestra takes you on the ultimate cosmic journey.

Under the baton of principal conductor Edward Gardner, the London Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Festival for the first time in a decade with a stunning programme.

The concert commences with Judith Weir’s Forest, an enchanting work with a fairytale character. Then, the prodigiously gifted pianist Beatrice Rana performs Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, a dazzling reimagining of Niccolò Paganini’s Caprice No. 24 for piano and orchestra.

Ending with a big bang, Gustav Holst’s The Planets takes you on the ultimate cosmic journey to explore our place in the universe. Inspired by his love of astrology, Holst transformed each planet into a mythological character - from the fierce god of war, Mars, to the serene goddess of love, Venus.

Supported by Dunard Fund and Edinburgh Napier University

Edward Gardner Conductor

Beatrice Rana Piano

National Youth Choir of Scotland Christopher Bell Chorus Director

Judith Weir Forest Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43 Holst The Planets, Op.32