Holst The Planets for Piano Duet

Holst The Planets for Piano Duet
arr. Day & Lasker

In the early 1910s, Holst became interested in astrology, and he conceived the idea of a suite for orchestra based on the solar system's individual planets.

Originally, he composed The Planets on the piano, using the instrument in his newly-built, sound-proofed room in the music wing at St Paul's Girls School as well as the piano at his home in Thaxted.

This version for four hands, two pianos was scored by two of his colleagues at St Paul's, Vally Lasker and Nora Day, who acted as amanuenses, because Holst suffered intermittently from painful neuritis in his right hand. Sadly, this version was lost for many years until John York (who, with his wife, Fiona, taught at the School for many years) discovered a leather-bound copy (signed by the composer). York2 comprising Fiona York & John York recorded this version on Nimbus Records.