Experience the celestial finale of the 70th season with Music Director Andrew Grams, the ESO and the Elgin Master Chorale. Join us for this cosmic performance of The Planets featuring Mars: The Bringer of War, Venus: The Bringer of Peace, Mercury: The Winged Messenger, and more. Opening with Holst’s ethereal “The Hymn of Jesus”, this concert will bring you to your knees.

DATES, TIMES & LOCATION

May 2 at 7:30 pm
May 3 at 2:30 pm
Hemmens Cultural Center  – Elgin, IL

CONCERT PROGRAM

Andrew Grams, conductor
Elgin Master Chorale

Holst      The Hymn Of Jesus

Holst      The Planets

Hemmens Prices: Gold $100 / Red $75 / Green $50 – CLICK HERE to view the Hemmens Special Events Seat Map
*Discount Pricing available for Groups of 10 or more! CLICK HERE for details.

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NOTEworthy Concert Facts

• The concept behind The Planets was astrological rather than astronomical, which is why Earth was not included. Each movement is intended to convey ideas and emotions associated with the influence of the planets on the psyche.
• Holst’s daughter Imogen recalled, “He hated incomplete performances of The Planets, though on several occasions he had to agree to conduct three or four movements at Queen’s Hall concerts. He particularly disliked having to finish with Jupiter, to make a ‘happy ending’, for, as he himself said, ‘in the real world the end is not happy at all'”.
• Pluto was discovered in 1930, four years before Holst’s death, and was hailed by astronomers as the ninth planet. Holst, however, expressed no interest in writing a movement for the new planet. He had become disillusioned by the popularity of the suite, believing that it took too much attention away from his other works.
• The Planets‘ influence in Hollywood:
  • John Williams used the melodies and instrumentation of Mars as the inspiration for his soundtrack for the Star Wars films (specifically “The Imperial March”)
  • Hans Zimmer closely used the melodies, instrumentation and orchestration of Mars as the inspiration for his soundtrack for the movie Gladiator to the extent that a lawsuit for copyright infringement was filed by the Holst foundation.

Click below for an audio concert highlight

…Holst – The Hymn of Jesus