Orchestration:
Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Cor anglais, 3 Clarinets in Bb, Bass clarinet, 2 Bassoons
2 Horns in F, 4 Trumpets in Bb (4th), 3 Trombones, Tenor tuba, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion (2 players: Snare drum, Bass drum, Suspended Cymbal, Gong)
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
Mars is the first of seven movements in The Planets Suite which Holst begun composing in 1914. He completed the suite in 1916 but the first complete public performance did not take place until 1920. It was an immediate success and has remained so ever since. The original was for a large orchestra. This arrangement has been made to make it more accessible to the average orchestra; the instruments marked with an asterisk in the orchestration list above may be omitted if necessary as any essential notes they have are cued in other parts.
Duration: 6 1/2 minutes
A PACK comprises one full score, string parts 4/4/3/4/2 and any wind, brass and percussion parts.