Holst’s Piano Pieces: Masterworks for Piano by the Composer of the Suite The Planets

Speaking of the suite The Planets, it’s an orchestral work that enjoys great popularity not only among classical music fans but also across a wide audience.

Its composer, Gustav Holst, was born in 1874 into a musical family in England and is said to have been attempting composition from his teenage years.

In this article, we’ve selected from among his works those written for solo piano and pieces well-known in piano arrangements.

We’ll introduce each piece along with its characteristics, the background of its composition, and performance videos of the piano versions.

Playlist

Holst’s Piano Pieces: Masterworks for Piano by the Composer of the Suite The Planets
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Suite The Planets, Op. 32, H.125: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of JollityGustav Holst		Jupiter from Holst’s The Planets is a popular masterpiece.
2	The Planets, Op. 32, H.125: VI. Uranus, the MagicianGustav Holst		The sixth movement of Holst’s The Planets is a mysterious and popular piece.
3	Suite ‘The Planets’ Op. 32 H.125, No. 3 ‘Mercury, the Winged Messenger’Gustav Holst		Holst's The Planets: Mercury is light and fast-paced
4	Two Pieces, H.179: No. 2 “Gigue”Gustav Holst		The appeal of Holst’s piano piece “Jig”
5	Suite ‘The Planets’, Op. 32, H.125: I. Mars, the Bringer of WarGustav Holst		Mars from Holst’s The Planets represents war
6	Suite ‘The Planets’, Op. 32, H.125: No. 2 ‘Venus, the Bringer of Peace’Gustav Holst		Venus is a gentle melody that brings peace
7	Two Pieces, H.179: No. 1 “Nocturne”Gustav Holst		The Allure of Holst’s Serene Nocturne
8	Toccata in C major, H.153Gustav Holst		Toccata in C major, a piano piece composed by Holst
9	The Planets, Op. 32 H.125, No. 7: Neptune, the MysticGustav Holst		The mysterious music of the finale of Holst’s The Planets
10	Two Fragments of Folk Songs, Op. 46-2, H.166: No. 1 “O I Hae Seen the Roses Blaw”Gustav Holst		Holst’s folk song pieces, expressing British sentiment
11	Two Folk Song Fragments, Op. 46-2, H. 166: No. 2 “The Shoemaker”Gustav Holst		A fine work by Holst, a reinterpretation of folk songs on piano
12	The Planets, Op. 32, H.125: V. Saturn, the Bringer of Old AgeGustav Holst		Introducing the Saturn movement from Holst’s The Planets
13	Christmas Morning, Op. 46 No. 1Gustav Holst		Holst’s piano pieces arranged from Christmas carols
14	“Mars” from the suite The Planets, Op. 32-1Gustav Holst		Mars from Holst’s The Planets is grand and influential
15	Jupiter, from the suite “The Planets,” Op. 32Gustav Holst		I recommend the piano four-hand version of Holst’s The Planets.