NYPhilharmonic Play's Holst's The Planets

"The Planets" by Gustav Holst (b. England 1874-1934) is a symphonic cycle that is stellar and always an infintesmal pleasure to hear performed.  The planets, plus or minus Earth & Pluto (undiscovered until 1930) & then  unceremoniously denigrated from prominence, came after Holst's symphony was composed between 1914-16.   Why leave out Earth?  Perhaps, Earth is ground zero & we are free to imagine looking outwards to solar system.  (Okay)  Why are the planets anthropomorphically described by Holst?  Because, he wrote it, he can note it.  But, when listening to this celestial composition, including an offstage chorus of female voices, come to your own conclusions.  Or, simply remain in the dark & enjoy the music for its own grandeur.  It was obvious to me that the 1st movement, "Mars," is combatative and robust.  The various planet movements rotate in a continuous measure, not held in the order of their position from the sun.  "Venus" follows "Mars" and its agreeable, melodic tones are a complacent adjunct to "Mars."   "Mercruy" was performed in a capriccio manner and "Jupiter" was played in a hearty allegro.  I'm not sure where "Uranus" or "Neptune" diverged into their own magical, mystical overtones.   It really doesn't matter.  Holst's classical achievement allots for everyone's own fantasia.