A couple of months ago, my friend Stephen asked me if I would like to see a performance of The Planets by Gustav Holst by the San Francisco Symphony. I recall looking at the available dates and deciding against it as much as I enjoy the suite because of my uncertain schedule.
Earlier this week, Stephen got in touch with me and asked again if I would like to go. This time, I knew I would be available tonight so I told him I was in. My first recollections of Holst’s celestial achievement are from my first year in high school. My band director, Mr. Howard Crawford, handed out a piece entitled Mars one day, and all I could think was “five-four time signature?” As much as we played the first movement in Holst’s collection, I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it. The dissonance and the chaotic nature of the piece just never resonated with my sensibilities. Of course, looking back, I’m sure the fact that it was a high school wind ensemble trying to pull that piece off had a lot to do with my dislike.
It wasn’t until I heard the Cavaliers of Rosemont, Ill., claim the 1995 DCI Championship with their arrangements of a few of the movements that I truly fell in love with the songs. I’m surprised to say that I’ve never actually attended a professional performance of Holst’s Planets so tonight’s rendez-vous at the Davies Symphony Hall in The City will be particularly sweet.