In connection to their Unit of Inquiry “Solar Systems”, Grade 4 students have been learning about “The Planets”, an orchestral piece written by British composer Gustav Holst between 1914 and 1916.
In this piece, Holst uses the solar system’s planets as an inspiration to express different ideas and emotions connected to them.
In the following links you can access more information about the piece, listen to samples and watch a video that combines live orchestral music with moving images of the planets.
Attached you can also find the worksheet we used in class as well as a score for clarinets and flutes to learn to play the main theme of Jupiter.
Don’t forget to leave a comment to let me know how you liked this music.
Click here for an explanation of the piece with audio samples.