Hello! Today’s topic is “Mars, the Bringer of War.”
As the first movement of the suite, it was composed around 1914.
Considering the title, some people think that the movement is a reflection of history,
when WWⅠwas about to break out. And that adds more
legendary to the suite.
Before listening to the music, here is a cool video that introduces the planet Mars.
We can just focus on the
beginning (0:43~1:07)
that describes people’s imagination towards Mars. Maybe it is because the unusual
red color plus often changing position and brightness, that ancient people regarded
Mars as the god of fire, destruction, and, war.
Now, here comes the music. Please
close your eyes and enjoy it!
(The volume can be so loud sometimes,
please watch out.)
The melody is full of passion and tension, which makes me feel a
little nervous. But that is not a bad thing I think. What’s important is the
emotion in this music. It starts from a series of tensional tempos. Then the
pitch and volume increase as the melody evolves. My favorite part is 2:50~3:10, where tuba(低音號) and trumpet (小號) sing
with each other heatedly. Hope you like it as well!
Just like the video says,” Mars has captured
imagination of human throughout the ages. ” Mars did capture the imagination of Gustav Holst’s as well as mine! (maybe also yours? )
Before 6'50" in the video, I thought that Gustav compose Mars with heroic and romantic imagination. A view of aggressive, honor, proud and glorious triumph comes to my mind. Maybe he made this part before WWI. However, after 6'50" inharmonious noise made by stringed instrument and tragic roar by drums. Let me peaked the dark face of victory
回覆刪除Wow ! That's really a deep perspective ! I have never thought in that way.
刪除Thanks for sharing that !!
I like this symphony very much!
回覆刪除4:30~5:10 is my favorite part!
It's a very strong and majestic part.
刪除l like it as well :)
The tempo is special. It sounds like 5 beats in a bar.
回覆刪除The tempo is really unusual and never seemed in the rest of the suite.
刪除It surprised me that the tempo make you think of a bar. XD