Saturn
Introduce KS2 students to Saturn, Gustav Holst’s solemn and steady portrait of old age from The Planets, with free classroom resources including a video activity, lesson plans and a quiz.
This is part of a Key Stage two series on Gustav Holst’s seven-part suite. If you’re new to Holst, read the Introduction first.
Quick Overview
In this resource on Saturn you’ll find:
A classroom activity video guiding students to imagine moving through Saturn’s strange landscape as their older selves, using slow, expressive actions to explore character and atmosphere.
A video of London Symphony Orchestra performing Saturn at the Barbican to provide context.
Lesson materials to help you plan.
A quiz and word search to test student knowledge after the activity.
To Get Started
- Suggested teaching duration: 40 minutes
(video activity + quiz) - Key stage: KS2
- What you’ll need:
– Screen (to play video)
– Unpitched percussion instruments
– Tuned percussion (optional)
– Space for movement
Lesson with Rachel Leach
Run-time: 5 minutes
Explore Holst’s Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age through imaginative listening and creative art activities that evoke the feeling of time and strange landscapes.
Listening focus:
- Notice the pace of the music
- Imagine the journey
- Listen for mood and texture
London Symphony Orchestra Performance
Run-time: 11 minutes
Take a listen to Holst’s Saturn
Recorded at the Barbican on 12 September 2024
Lesson Plan
Download the Saturn Teacher Pack
Fun and Games!
Holst’s Saturn – Wordsearch
Explore the Series
Content written and presented by Rachel Leach for LSO Discovery 2026.
