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The Planets with Neil deGrasse Tyson

From WQXR | 59:00

Neil deGrasse Tyson joins host Elliott Forrest for an hour-long exploration of Gustav Holst’s 20th-century masterpiece "The Planets" and how it contrasts and compares to our own solar system.

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“You realize quickly that this set of seven movements was not inspired by the planets themselves, but by the mythology that surrounds them. It so happens that this set of mythological gods were the ones chosen for the real planets,” Tyson says. “[Holst] really should have called them The Gods , but he called them The Planets . And that’s good enough for me to embrace it.”

Tyson makes the case that Holst’s mythological inspirations are absolutely appropriate — and made even better music than taking a more scientific route. “He’s drawing themes that are emotional. And any good music takes your emotions to where they’ve never been before. I don’t know how you can get emotional about Venus.

This radio special features a recording of The Planets by William Boughton  and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Watch an excerpt of that conversation below.

Holst: "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