Sunday 22 November 2:30pm

COSMOS

Celestial trekking

In 1918, a symphonic blockbuster was born in London. The Planets, a seven-movement orchestral suite by Gustav Holst, depicted the mythical character of planets from our solar system and has been a fixture in orchestral repertoire ever since. From the relentless, mechanized march of Mars to the ethereal, otherworldly fade of Neptune, Holst’s The Planets is a landmark in 20th-century orchestral music. Its influence extends beyond the concert hall, inspiring movie scores, science fiction, and even popular music. 
Each movement represents a different planet in our solar system (excluding Earth and Pluto, the latter of which had yet to be discovered), not in a scientific sense but as astrological archetypes. So, we have Mars, the Bringer of War; Venus, the Bringer of Peace; and Mercury, the Winged Messenger. Then come Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity; Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age; Uranus, the Magician; and finally, Neptune, the Mystic. Though Holst himself grew weary of its popularity, and even a bit resentful of all the attention it cannibalised from his other works, The Planets remains his most celebrated work—an orchestral masterpiece that continues to enthral audiences over a century after its creation.

Plus Kaija Saariaho’s 2005 work Asteroid 4179:Toutatis, inspired by the asteroid of the same name which makes frequent close approaches to Earth, with a currently minimum possible distance of just 0.006AU (2.3 times as far as the Moon), and selections from the music of Star Wars and Star Trek.

2:30pm | 22 November 2026 | Gosford Regional Library Auditorium, Donnison St, Gosford

Fred Watson – Australia’s Astronomer at Large

Fred Watson brings his vast knowledge, humour and wit to the Cosmos concert. Born in England, he built a distinguished career at the Anglo-Australian Observatory near Coonabarabran, where he helped develop fibre-optic instruments for surveying galaxies.

An award-winning author, his books include Stargazer: The Life and Times of the Telescope. Fred is also a much-loved broadcaster, known for making complex ideas accessible and entertaining on ABC radio and his Star Stuff podcast. Paired with an orchestra, his gift for storytelling promises an evening where music and the wonders of the universe beautifully intertwine for audiences of all ages.

GETTING HERE: Gosford Regional Library Auditorium – Parking and public transport 

• Public transport: Just a few minutes’ walk from Gosford Station, with frequent trains and, nearby buses. Need help planning your trip? Call (02) 4304 7500 or visit Transport NSW.
• Cycling: Bike racks available outside the library.
• Opposite of Gosford Regional Library at Kibble Park, 118 Donnison Street, there is a small free public car park with around 20 spaces.
• Street parking: Available along Donnison Street, Mann Street, and surrounding CBD streets. Parking is usually free on Sundays and public holidays—always check local signage. See more car parking options.
• Drop off zone: A 15-minute drop off zone is located at the front of Gosford Regional Library.