I'm a little sick of those predictable snobs who knock John Williams, a master at his genre, because some of his themes are derivative. Do you object to Stravinsky's Pulcinella or The Fairy's Kiss because they are based on Pergolesi and Tchaikovsky? Williams composed film music symphonically rather than using the stock bag of effects that most film music consists of. Knock him for that if you must.

I always smile when I hear the Brahms Piano Concerto 2 opening horn. Yikes, is that where one of SW's theme came from?

At last! The inevitable. Classical Music has been coopted by pop culture or, as Jean Shepherd so aptly put it, CREEPING MEATBALLISM.

Agree with FluteLady - this whole smackdown today strikes me as pure pandering. Film music can be a serious artform - look at Shostakovich, Prokofiev or Copland who wrote substantial scores for film - but Williams is a rip-off artist. A very good one, who chooses his source material well. But there's nothing challenging or especially deep about it. WQXR can do better.

In the 1990s I was living in London. During that period, a new classical radio station came into being, Classic FM. The idea was to have a classical radio station that would have greater popular appeal than the stuffy, upper-crust BBC. The only problem was that they swung a bit too far in the other direction. For instance, rather than taxing people's attention spans with an entire sonata or concerto grosso by Telemann or Handel, they would often play only one movement - even if it was the second movement and it ended on the dominant chord! By the same token, they too had a daily request program (I think it was even at noon!), and I, for one, became extremely frustrated at the number of people whose requests for "something from the new Harry Potter film" were honored (or should I say honoured). I guess I was among the few who didn't put film music into the same category as classical music, and I still don't. Film music certainly has its place, but this shouldn't be it.

And couldn't we please have the performers listed listed with the selections. I dislike voting for a recording I already own.

While the planets is a truly inspiring serenade to the heavens, on this snowy 13th day of February, let us be taken by Williams to a galaxy far, far away.

As usual, there's nothing original about Williams's Star Wars score. He steals from a wide range of pieces, including The Planets and the Rite of Spring. By the way, Aniara is a space opera. It takes place on a space ship. My vote is for The Planets.

I like John Williams...he seems like a nice man. But, come on. Star Wars is not a great work...very good...very showy...very VERY...Hollywood. I'll listen to it on the crosstrainer at the gym.
Holst's "Planets" is more nuanced, more complex, richer...deeper...existential.
BAM! NUFF SAID!!!

If though Mozart didn't name the Jupiter, it was named for the deity, not the planet. Holst's suite is based on the astrological planets, not the astronomical bodies. So Star Wars is the only authentically 'space-y' composition. And since we've been celebrating John Williams' birthday for days....well, there ya go.

Since this asteroid is going to be around for a long time, maybe I should place a request for some thing from Karl-Birger Blomdahls "Aniara." It's subtitled 'a space opera.'

As much as I like John Williams' compositions, my choice can only be The Planets.

The name of the Jupiter Symphony is not from Mozart, but from some pandering editor that made a piano arrangement of the symphony (sort of like how Haydn's symphonies got their names--the denigrating publicists). I guarantee you Mozart was not thinking about stars or planets when he was composing this symphony. If we're just talking about a piece that has been used in association with sci-fi, the major omission here is Also Sprach (as others have noted).

Yes, I'll be looking forward to hearing the Planets (seems to be the consensus among the comments), but this is one of the worst "showdowns" yet. Let's hear Holst.

Like J.Cynthia Weber says below, expand our listening and your programming!

Definitely Star Wars! Nothing says space like a good intergalactic battle!

You NEVER get to hear the whole Planets suite, just the odd heavenly body. I love the bits, now can we please hear the whole thing? Sorry, Elliott, Star Wars doesn't begin to approach it, for me.

I voted for Mozart because, well, how could I not vote for Mozart? But I do love "The Planets," so I'll be content to listen to it!

Jupiter is play very often on WQXR ...and I not a rebel as you are Elliot:)... I will go for Holst's The Planets
Thank you

I vote for "Holst" the planets as the winner for today's High noon showdown.Kathleen

Holst "the Planets" See where John Williams got his inspiration.

Another vote for Gustav Holst, The Planets.

Sorry, Elliott, but I have to vote for the Planets. It's among my favorites. I would not, however, be disappointed by any of the options.

The Planets is a creatively crafted piece of music. One of my favorites that isn't played often in it's entirety. It will be a treat to hear today.

Casting a vote for "the Aquarium" from "carnival of the Animals". That's the s

We really don't need to hear any more movie music, and the "Jupiter" Symphony is played way too often here, so I think it's about time we finally get to hear "The Planets" in its entirety.

I would love to hear John Williams Star Wars! I have used it teaching my pre-ballet class often. People always are happy to hear it at my other place of business also.

I agree with Judith Broy that "Also Sprach Zarathustra" would be the best choice. For those of us who remember 2001:A Space Odyssey was the first of its kind in sciene fiction movies and it led to a whole new generation of stories and special effects, including Star Wars.

Although I love Star Wars, I love Gustav Holst and the Planets even more.

While these three are inspiring, I usually think of "Also sprach Zarathustra" as the perfect "space" piece, reminiscent of the excitement of watching "2001: A Space Odyssey"...perfect!! Thanks for giving me choices though : )

When I was 12 my big brother (who was 17) took me to see Star Wars at the Ziegfield in Time Square. Afterward, we got burgers from Burger King and ate them sitting on the wall in Bryant Park! I fell in love with Star Wars and was given the soundtrack for Christmas. I knew it by heart. My choice is obvious.

I recently watched the film Melancholia, and I felt that the use of Richard Wagner's prelude to Tristan und Isolde worked very well. There is a kind of helplesness in how we are at the mercy of the heavens. This asteroid is a reminder of that.

I choose Holst today because WQXR often plays Jupiter Bringer of Jollity but I can't recall ever hearing any other planet being played. Plus if you play all Holst's Planets, it might satisfy peoples Star Wars craving as it is remarkably similar to Mars Bringer of War. Though I love Jupiter, i do miss the other planets. Holst Holst Holst!!!

The Planets,in its entirety,has become relatively rare on WQXR.However,there is a wealth of music with astronomic themes worthy of the concert hall &, by extension,WQXR's airwaves.Maybe you could devote a day to it sometime,with a major piece every hour.Star Trek alone could supply a day's worth.How about it;now that we are non-commercial,we should fly higher once in a while.

Star Wars music is fun, but you could have put John Williams' E.T. music on the list, too.

It's a shame you won't play all 3 in succession. That would be such a treat. I flipped a 3-sided mental coin and it landed on Holst. AAARGH!!! I hate having to make choices between 3 pieces I enjoy so much.

Not the Planets! And, please not again “the Trees” or “The Seasons”. I am ear-worn out with reflex fillers that WQXR selects, and selects repeatedly. There are thousands of other short pieces. Expand our listening and your programming!!

An astronomy lesson in music, Holst's The Planets set a course for space movie music that is still shows the way, and sends me into orbit when I hear it. Let's blast off with The Planets today.

Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra always seemed spacey to me, even if it wasn't intended to be. Terry Riley's Sun Rings is a more contemporary example of a piece directly influenced by the solar system. We'd never get to hear that on WQXR however.

I have always enjoyed the Star Wars suite. It takes me back to a wonderful time in my life.