Die Planeten für Streichquartett

Thoughts on the work "The Planets" for string quartet

In the tenth book of the Politeia, Plato had the mythical narrator Er report that the authors of the harmony of the spheres were eight sirens, mythical figures assigned to the eight spheres. Plato thus presented the idea of harmony of the spheres not as a physical hypothesis, but in the form of a myth.

myth.

Gustav Mahler wrote after completing his eighth symphony: "I have just finished my 8th. It is the greatest thing I have done so far. And so actual in content and form that it is impossible to write about it. Think of the universe beginning to resound and sound. It is no longer human voices, but planets and suns which are circling."

To Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, the planets correspond to

states of mind. According to him, behind the concept of harmony of the spheres lies a real, but not sensual, but purely spiritual perception which, in the case of those who are

spiritual perception which can be attributed to those who are capable of it via the "spiritual ear".

As early as 1920, he suggested the construction of stringed instruments from the various woods associated with the different pla-nets.

The best-known work to date that refers to the (purely allegorical) properties of the planets was probably created by Gustav Holst with his orchestral work

"The Planets.

The meaning and the influence of the planets on people have therefore fascinated musicians since antiquity, because their allegorical qualities have a very great expressive, emotive, tonal potential and enable differentiated sound structures and colours, as in my string quartet "The Planets".

It refers to the medieval alchemical teachings about the planets and their spiritual spheres.

Regarding the style of the composition, it can be said that it can be described as post-modern, i.e. the variable handling of the appropriate compositional technique.

A special criterion for the creation of this work is the inclusion of the very special sound of the instruments envisaged by Rudolf Steiner and built by Dr. Franz Thomastik according to these suggestions.

Form of the string quartet "The Planets

Movement Planet Character Metal according to

alchemical teachings

   Type of wood

1 Saturn is the physical foundation, the bringer of age, the mystic

   Lead Beech

2 Jupiter liberation of the ego, abundance and lucky charm

   Pewter Maple

3 Mars Aggression, energy, bringer of war,

Conflict resolver

   Iron Oak

4 Sun Growth, progress, warmth

   Gold Ash

5 Venus Love, sensuality, emoti-on, peace-bringer

social grace

   Copper Birch

6 Mercury leading out of the sensual life, the winged messenger, the bringer of salvation, he encourages people to behave justly

   Mercury Elm

(boar-ash)

7 Moon Clinging to the old, stagnation, preservation of values Silver Cherry