ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL: The Planets
This Pilgrim Uniting Church in Flinders Street in the heart of the city provided superb acoustics for this spectacular performance. Nearly every pew was taken, with there being approx 120 people in the audience. The two pianists, Thomas Saunders and Andrew Georg were introduced by 8:15pm, and after the welcome applause, the stage lit up with red, then blue lighting which was forever changing, as was the tempo of the duet.
The Planets was originally composed by Gustav Holst, back in 1913, and was first performed in 1919. It was based on Holst’s own interest in the astrological nature of the planets, due to the planets influence on the horoscope.
For the music connoisseur this show turns out to be a masterpiece. Superb execution, as both pianists’ work together as one, and not one extra key is played, and none is out of tune.
This performance features all movements of the original suite, which are:
1. Mars, The Bringer of War
2. Venus, The Bringer of Peace
3. Mercury, The Winged Messenger
4. Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity
5. Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age
6. Uranus, The Magician
7. Neptune, The Mystic
I find this review very hard to write , as music has different meaning and sound to each person’s own individual taste. I will say this, this performance was brilliant, and that’s from someone who doesn’t specialize in classical music. In some of the pieces, the tempo rose from darkly sinister brooding depths, to the light, delicate, romantic, and calming after the storm tones. Very melodramatic. This composition had everything, and I strongly recommend those who appreciate beautiful moving, sensual music to attend this performance. A pity it wasn’t longer than the approx 45 minutes.
The Adelaide Fringe Festival’s The Planets season is very short – only two shows on 6 and 8 March – Venue: Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders St, Adelaide.
