The Planet Brass

I would be remiss to not acknowledge on this blog that there is a sect of people that enjoy listening to other things besides what most people would consider generally "popular music." As such, I have decided to post a recording of a melody that is used in various settings such as movie scores, church music, and yes, even some colloquial pop songs. 

To most classical musicians, this melody is known as the theme from Jupiter, a movement in Gustav Holst's symphony called The Planets. However, other audiences may know it as O God Beyond All Praising, or the Piano Guys' cover of Rolling in the Deep. Why has this theme become so popular? I posit that it is due to the ease with which it may be sung, and thus duplicated by audiences long after the song has ended. It is simple, stately, and most importantly, catchy. 

Brass instruments in particular have taken control of this theme. The broad natured sound of brass instruments adds a level of impact to this theme that has been impacting audiences for a little over a century. It has permeated brass culture so deeply that one can almost never play a church gig without some version of this showing up on your stand. As a church music director, however, I totally get it. The impact of this piece with great brass players live is beyond measure and is truly a spiritual experience.

Here is a recording of the Barclay Brass performing an arrangement of Jupiter. Below I've also linked a few other recordings that sample this theme that you might have heard before.

Barclay Brass - Jupiter

Jupiter in other forms