Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

Listen to the work here!
 
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity is an arrangement of the fourth movement of British composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets, with each of the seven movements based on a different planet of the solar system (not counting the Earth or Pluto, the latter of which hadn’t been discovered yet). Each movement is also inspired by the deity of Roman mythology that that planet is named after. Jupiter, also known as Zeus in Greek mythology, is the king of the Roman gods and holds dominion over the sky, as well as lightning and thunder, and is known in mythology partially for being the father of many godly and demigod children, as a result of relations with many different women. This exuberance and vitality is reflected in Holst’s orchestration and unique approach to harmony. Jupiter is also recognizable today for the melody of its slow middle section, which has become the British patriotic hymn “I Vow to Thee, My Country.”
 
This arrangement of Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity, and all other present and future arrangements of movements from The Planets, is scored for an ensemble of thirteen musicians (such that the full piece may one day be realized in a complete performance), including the following instrumentation: Bells, Xylophone, Chimes, Vibraphones 1 & 2, Marimbas 1 & 2 (1 5 octave marimba required), Timpani (4), Percussion 1-4 (Snare Drum, Woodblock, Crash Cymbals, Ride Cymbal, Hi-Hat, Tambourine, Triangle, Kick Drum, Roto-Toms (4)), Piano and Celesta.