The Music of our Planets

    Over the last month students from 2nd to 5th grade have learned about one of the great orchestral suites in music and the  solar system.  In 1915 Gustav Holst composed the orchestral suite, "The Planets."  Each movement of the suite is named after a planet in the solar system and it's corresponding Roman God name.  All the planets are represented except Earth and Pluto (It wasn't discovered until 1930.)  Each music movement has it's on title and mood.  We listened to each movement along with facts and pictures of each planet.  After we were done listening the students described each piece.  Mars the Bringer of War was described as scary, doom like, forte, and many thought it sounded like Darth Vader's theme music.  
    Mars was a special planet to learn about since NASA just landed the Curiousity Rover on Mars in August.  Below is the incredible video that NASA put together so we could get a taste of what it is like to land a robot on another planet.  NASA's soundtrack for the video was of course Holst's Mars.  

Take a listen for yourself and have your kids tell you a few planet facts.  Below I have linked all the planets with the corresponding movement from Holst's "The Planets."  Just click the name of the planet and enjoy!

I.   Mars, The Bringer of War 

II.  Venus, The Bringer of Peace

III.  Mercury, The Winged Messenger

IV.  Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity 

V.  Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age

VI.  Uranus, The Magician

VII.  Neptune, The Mystic