Musical Heritage Society offers a solid performance of the Planets from Telarc’s back catalog, one with superb playing by the Royal Philharmonic and inspired conducting by André Previn. The orchestra is on full alert, with every section keen to show its mettle, whether the punchy brass in Mars and Uranus, the fleet woodwinds in Mercury, or the strings–buoyantly dancing in Jupiter and marvelously ethereal in Neptune. Previn’s reading, while primarily straightforward, nonetheless convinces by letting the beauties of Holst’s score emerge naturally and effortlessly. The recording is impactful, but sounds a bit opaque compared to today’s best–that being Telarc’s 1998 release featuring Yoel Levi’s blazing performance with the Atlanta Symphony in spectacular sound. Still, MHS’s pricing will make Previn’s recording especially attractive to those who missed it the first time around. [1/11/2001]
