second in this series of classical (in a loose sense) tracks of the day:
Gustav Holst, London Symphony - The Planets: Mars, the Bringer of War
Holst's "The Planets" is a staple in the wind ensemble repertoire, and occassionally gets brushed off for orchestral use as well. Gustav Holst was known for writing folk-influenced tunes for the most part, but The Planets doesn't really reflect this influence.
Mars is interesting musically for its 5/4 time signature and consistent rhythmic motif of a one-beat triplet (beat 1/5), two quarters (beats 2 and 3 of 5), two eighth notes (beat 4), and another quarter note (beat 5/5). of note is that the orchestra playing this particular track, the London Symphony Orchestra, is the same as on the various Star Wars soundtracks. and if you hear John Williams in this piece, blame Williams, not Holst, as Holst predated him by many a year...
and if you missed my first pick for the classical track of the day, it's here: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2078651#post2078651 . oh yeah: i think i played this piece last in about 1997?
Gustav Holst, London Symphony - The Planets: Mars, the Bringer of War
Holst's "The Planets" is a staple in the wind ensemble repertoire, and occassionally gets brushed off for orchestral use as well. Gustav Holst was known for writing folk-influenced tunes for the most part, but The Planets doesn't really reflect this influence.
Mars is interesting musically for its 5/4 time signature and consistent rhythmic motif of a one-beat triplet (beat 1/5), two quarters (beats 2 and 3 of 5), two eighth notes (beat 4), and another quarter note (beat 5/5). of note is that the orchestra playing this particular track, the London Symphony Orchestra, is the same as on the various Star Wars soundtracks. and if you hear John Williams in this piece, blame Williams, not Holst, as Holst predated him by many a year...
and if you missed my first pick for the classical track of the day, it's here: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2078651#post2078651 . oh yeah: i think i played this piece last in about 1997?
One of my favorite pieces to listen to and to play. We (music geeks) would be humming the major rhythmic motif (that we called "marching along with Gustav Holst") for days when we played it. 
. almost. i say it in pseudo 4/4 as:
.