Heard, on Classic FM(UK) this morning V-W's Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis, so intense, an extraordinary achievement. Preceding was an anecdote by the composer Howells, who, when a teenager, went to a performance. He'd heard that someone had written a strange piece. After he got V-W's autograph. Love the idea of a substantial composer collecting music autographs.
My fave. recording of The Planets is that by the composer. Composers are so often terrific performers, especially of their own work.