| | Holst: The Planets / Isao Tomita CD Tomita Discography of CDs
 (5 Customer Reviews)
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Composer: G. Schirmer.
Personnel: Tomita (keyboards, synthesizer, electronics).
Recording information: 1976.
Unknown Contributor Role: Tomita.
This was the most controversial Tomita album, where he uses Holst's spectacular, mystical suite The Planets as a launching pad for what amounts to a simulated spaceship trip through the solar system. Hence the title The Tomita Planets, which did not deter the Holst estate from trying (unsuccessfully) to pull this recording off the market at the time. When Tomita sticks to what Holst wrote, he follows every turn and bend of the score, save for a big cut in the last part of Jupiter and an eviscerated Uranus that nearly disappears altogether. Moreover, the music -- especially Venus -- often does lend itself to an electronic space flight fantasy, with Tomita's arsenal of phase-shifting, flanging, pitch-bending, envelope following and reversing choral effects and more on full display. It's the stuff between movements that provoked the purists -- the campy simulated mission control communications and electronic blastoff prior to Mars and the "noises" of space flight scattered throughout (including a nasty asteroid belt between Jupiter and Saturn). The most questionable idea was that of playing Jupiter's grand central theme on a tinkly electronic music box as a way to open and close the record -- which some will find satirical, others touching, still others tasteless. Indeed, Tomita seems to have it in for British pomp; when this theme is played within the context of Jupiter, he interrupts it with electronic chatter between mission control and the spaceship. Ultimately, The Tomita Planets is still good electronic fun, and it launched a series of space-themed concept albums by this electronic astronaut. ~ Richard S. Ginell Holst: The Planets / Isao Tomita Music Holst: The Planets / Isao Tomita Music Review Average Rating: (4.2 out of 5 stars)   Machine music for the Gods
This Dolby Pro Logic Surround mix is incredible. I own the LP and the stereo CD and this is miles beyond both of these. I've always enjoyed Tomita's arrangements of the classics and this piece really lends itself to the digital surround medium. The bombast of "Mars", the quiet spiritual serenity of "Venus" and the majesty of "Jupiter" are magnified by the digital remastering and the inventive use of the surround soundstage. Is this music dated? Yes. It was created over 25 years ago with multiple synthesisers and filters which today are replaced with one computer linked keyboard but this is was adds to the charm of hearing it in 2004. If you like the standard classical rendition be prepared for a treat-a new way of looking at a classical chestnut. Rearranged for the (then) new Star Wars age. It's the best $10.00 I've spent in quite awhile.
Submitted by rwagn (Worthington) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Good transfer from analog to CD
Tomita takes electronic almost to the reality of real world musical instruments. He is a master of making music out of sounds.
Submitted by jathoja84 (Clovis, CA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No EXCELLENT!!
Tomita's unique version of "Planets" is a MUST OWN for anyone familiar with his style and vision. Ultra-clean recording that has been well preserved considering it's age of original release. The fact that it is re-recorded in Dolby Surround makes it even more special. Enjoy!
Submitted by a reviewer (Loogootee, In)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  Shame about the Planets
Having been a great fan of Tomita's since the heady days of Snowflakes are Dancing on glorious Vinyl,I was pleased to see his CDs becoming more available in the shops.However i still remember the hooha when The Planets came out originally, and in spite of my unreserved delight for the rest of his catalogue, ( the part that I have heard of course), I still remained slightly disappointed with The Planets. Originally in vinyl, at 52 minutes it was never going to be the whole piece, and i wondered at the time of purchase just what he was going to do to it to make it fit onto one LP.Of course i was completely unprepared for his rather hasty and ill thought out cut and paste attitude to Uranus and Neptune.
So on seeing the CD , I had rather hoped that now with the extra time length available, that full justice could be done to the whole work, and the entire suite presented in all its glory. Now, unless my UK copy differs from some other, i am disheartened to find that such is not the case.I would have thought that he had perhaps done the full job initially,but then found it too long to put onto one LP, and therefore had to do some last minute amendment. Now unless I am very wrong it appears that either, 1)he never did record the entire Uranus and Neptune, separately, or 2) if he did the powers that be in the record label, did not see fit to take the necessary opportunity to include it on the longer format of the CD. Great shame
Submitted by c.dumigan (manchester,England)
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A True Electronic Music Pioneer
One of the highlights of the 1970s, along with many now classic rock songs and landmark movies, Tomita's 'The Planets' was, and still is, a magnificent work. Tomita masterfully weaves a rich sonic tapestry on his loom of synthesizers, resulting in familiar, yet alien textures that inspire the imagination. Compared with symphonic recordings of Holst's masterful composition, Tomita's rendition, while at times taking strange liberties in arrangement and interpretation, stands as a remarkable accomplishment given the arduous and painstaking nature of synthesizer programming nearly 30 years ago. I heartily recommend this album to electronic music fans and classical enthusiasts alike.
Submitted by a reviewer (Austin, TX)
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