Brian May said 1917 classic is his favourite piece of music of all time

Brian May of Queen Reveals His Ultimate Desert Island Discs Choice

Sir Brian May, the celebrated guitarist from the iconic rock band Queen, known globally as one of the most successful groups after The Beatles, has left an indelible mark on music history. His significant contributions to Queen‘s extensive and beloved discography are undeniable. Notably, during his appearance on BBC Radio 4’s esteemed program, Desert Island Discs in 2002, May selected Queen‘s own anthem, “We Will Rock You,” as one of his chosen tracks.

The Difficult Choice of a Single Save

In the concluding segment of each Desert Island Discs episode, guests face the poignant question of which single piece of music they would rescue if forced to abandon all others. Essentially, it’s an inquiry into their definitive favorite song. Like many before him, the Queen luminary found himself contemplating this challenging decision.

Holst’s Planets Suite Takes the Top Spot

The legendary musician responded with thoughtful consideration, stating: “Oh, goodness. That is indeed a difficult question. Um… you know, I believe it must be No. 1. I believe I shall choose ‘The Planets Suite,’ for its profound depth and complexity. There remain facets within it that I am yet to fully appreciate. Yes, I would likely take that.”

Gustav Holst’s Orchestral Masterpiece

Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” composed in 1917, is a renowned seven-movement orchestral suite. Each movement bears the name of a planet in our Solar System and vividly embodies the characteristics associated with the corresponding Greek or Roman deity.

Saturn: A Deeply Personal Selection

For his Desert Island Discs selection, Dr. Brian May, who holds a doctorate in astrophysics, opted for the fifth movement, “Saturn – The Bringer of Old Age.” This particular movement held special significance as Holst’s personal favorite from “The Planets.” Following the playing of the piece on the radio program, May commented with evident emotion, “Umm. Affects me deeply every single time.”

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Space, Stars, and Literary Escapes

Reflecting on his connection to the music, Sir Brian once penned a monologue about the movement, explaining: “It truly originated from a winter night’s observation, charting the progression of stars across the sky; thus, it evolved into a form of astronomical reflection.” When questioned about his choice of castaway book, in addition to the Bible and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, the rock icon selected the inaugural book from C.S. Lewis’s “Space Trilogy”: “My chosen book is ‘Out Of The Silent Planet’ by C.S. Lewis. While ostensibly written as a book for younger readers, it possesses a remarkable depth for adults as well. It’s profoundly spiritual. Superficially, it presents as a science fiction narrative, but at its heart lies a perspective on the Universe that I sincerely hope to be true.”