Mars, the Bringer of War
from "The Planets" [Moderate-Advanced Version]
by Gustav Holst, arr. by Nikk Pilato
Mars, The Bringer of War is the first movement of Gustav Holst's monumental work "The Planets." Mars was completed in 1914, and thus many historians have "taken it for granted that Mars was inspired" by the First World War. (Holst: A Biography by Imogen Holst). With its relentless ostinato pounding and its ominous harmonic movement, Mars and the rest of "The Planets" suite has become one of the most recognizable works of the 20th century, influencing a score of composers (you can hear a not-too subtle hint of Mars in John Williams’ famous Imperial March from the Star Wars Trilogy). This arrangement was commissioned by the Western High School Marching Band; Davie, Florida, for their 2004 marching season.
Gustav Holst was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (England) in 1874. He is most famous for his orchestral suite, "The Planets," but is also well-known for his two military suites for band (Suite in E-flat, Op. 28 No. 1, and Suite in F, Op. 28 No. 2), his Hammersmith, the St. Paul's Suite for string orchestra, and various smaller orchestral works. Holst was influenced by Hindy mysticism and spirituality, as well as astronomy and astrology, which led to his interest in composing a suite based around the supposed "personalities" ascribed to the planets in the book What Is A Horoscope? by Alan Leo. "The Planets" was composed in two stages, with Mars, Venus, and Jupiter coming first, and Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Mercury composed after a break to work on other pieces.
While Holst lived to see the discovery of Pluto, he chose not to add it to the suite. The companion piece Pluto, the Renewer, which is sometimes played with the full suite, was composed by Colin Matthews
For an audio sample (MIDI), please click 
Details
Catalog#: NN04-001
Duration: 3:00
Difficulty: Moderate-Advanced
Instrumentation:
Flute/Piccolo
Clarinet I-II-III
Alto Sax I-II
Tenor Sax
Trumpet I-II-III
Mellophone
Tenor I-II-III (includes Trombone and Euphonium)
Basses
Timpani
FULL SET: $40.00 (includes shipping)
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