The Planets (2024)
The Planets Project (2023) featured Holst’s The Planets in John Challenger’s new arrangement for the Salisbury Cathedral organ in work between local schools, our Cathedral’s Education Department, and the music charity La Folia.
To conclude the Planets Project, the music has been recorded for a double-release: an audio album, and a full-length film entitled ‘The Planets – Out of Darkness’. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Holst’s birth, the film showcases John Challenger’s full arrangement of The Planets on the Cathedral’s vibrant Father Willis organ, paired with night-time shots of the Cathedral’s unique interior.
The audio CD is available to order here.
The audio may be streamed or downloaded here.
The album booklet notes are available to view here.
The film will receive its premiere on YouTube on Wednesday 18 September 2024, at 8pm. Click here for the film page.
Filmed by Ben Tomlin, The Planets: Out of Darkness is a full-length filmed performance, recorded at night in the stunning interior of the empty Cathedral featuring breathtaking drone footage of the interior of the lit up cathedral.
John Challenger believes there is something very special about combining the majestic Cathedral with the famous Father Willis organ and Holst’s deeply spiritual music. He said “It is at night time that I find the Cathedral especially remarkable. It is not the pipe organ alone, but the stones which surround it, the feelings evoked when such music emerges from the shadows, that contribute to the overall effect. These meditative moments (a job perk for the very lucky organist who gets to practise at the dead of night) is something I have long wanted to share through the medium of film.”
Other recordings
We have recorded a number of albums on Salisbury Cathedral’s newly-founded record label, which are available for purchase both digitally and physically. Proceeds from the sales of Salisbury Cathedral recordings help to support our music funds.
Organ Pipes
Pipes being removed for restoration work in 2018
