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What was holst's approach with the planets and storytelling?

User Rodrigorgs
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Final answer:

Gustav Holst's composition 'The Planets' used astrological and mythological themes to express the character of each planet metaphorically. It was not informed by modern science fiction or literal storytelling about planetary environments or exploration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gustav Holst's approach to The Planets was largely metaphorical and programmatic, rather than being directly influenced by storytelling about our solar system as depicted in science fiction. His suite, composed between 1914-1917, uses the planets as a backdrop to explore different astrological and mythological themes. Each movement of The Planets suite is named after a planet and is intended to convey the planet's correspondences with astrological beliefs and the mood or character ascribed to it. However, Holst did not aim to musically represent the planets in a literal, scientific manner or as narrative worlds like those envisioned by authors or filmmakers in the science fiction genre. For example, Mars is depicted as “The Bringer of War”, with a relentless, marching rhythm suggesting militarism and conflict, while Venus is the “Bringer of Peace”, with a more serene and calming tone. Holst's suite predated many modern depictions of planets as settings for science fiction; thus, it was not directly loaded with content regarding the physical or geological realities of these celestial bodies or speculation of life upon them, unlike the science fiction-oriented presentations found in contemporary works. It is important to note that the content of Holst's The Planets does not involve modern storytelling about space exploration or depictions of the solar system from a tourism or human exploration perspective, as described in the provided references such as Carl Sagan's narratives or current science fiction-oriented videos.

User Tkhuynh
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