Holst – The Planets Suite in Miniature (Brass Quintet)

The Planets Suite in Miniature is an attempt to take the listener through Gustav Holst's orchestral masterpiece in less than ten minutes using only five brass instruments. Only five of the seven most famous and recognisable melodies from the original are used, beginning, like the prototype, with Mars. The different movements appear in the same order as Holst wrote, although the rhythmic pattern of Mars reappears on occasion. The piece ends with a clash of interest as the two most well known movements, Mars and Jupiter, compete for the right to finish. The harsh sounds of Mars are heard first before the hymnal Jupiter theme is heard over the driving rhythm of Mars. Jupiter finally triumphs with the piece ending with one final verse of the tune used for the hymn I Vow To Thee My Country. This instantly recognisable arrangement by Thomas Chinery is both challenging and playable, and of a length that will not tire the players too much while at the same time maintaining the essence and power of the original music to ensure interest for both audience and players alike. A recording by the Argento Brass Quintet can be heard on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGg1-pcHzrs

Review: "The Planets Suite in Miniature is a medley of highlights of Gustav Holst's orchestral masterpiece. Using only five of the seven movements, the arrangement lasts less than ten minutes, presenting about two minutes of Mars a minute of Venus, over three minutes of Jupiter, 30 seconds of Saturn and Uranus, and a final two minutes of Mars and Jupiter combined. This entertaining reduction is challenging yet quite playable. Brit Thomas Chinery is the bass trombonist of the London based Argento Brass Quintet." – Jeffrey Snedeker in The Horn Call February 2015

Biography

Chinery, Thomas

Thomas Chinery was born in London in 1986, but moved up to Leicestershire two years later. He began playing the trumpet at age 7 before moving onto trombone two years later. After achieving Grade 5 he then moved onto the bass trombone and achieved Grade 8 standard shortly after leaving school. He played with the Leicestershire Schools youth ensembles throughout his school years, partaking in various tours and concerts, including performances at De Montfort Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He currently plays with Argento Brass www.argentobrass.co.uk and The Enderby Brass Band, and has performed at numerous contests throughout Britain achieving several top three finishes, including a 1st place at the Midlands Area Championships in the First Section.