Alan Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountains
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CD Details
Composer: Alan HovhanessConductor: Gerard Schwarz
Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2003-04-22
Music Label: Telarc
Soundtracks:
- I. Andante Con Moto
- II. Double Fugue-Moderato Maestoso
- III. Andante Espressivo
- I. Andante Maestoso
- II. Love Song To Hinako-Andante Espressivo
- III. Prelude And Fugue-Largo Maestoso
- I. Andante, Grazioso
- II. Spririt Lake-Allegro
- III. Volcano-Adagio/Allegro/Adagio
- Lento Tempestoso
Music reviews of Alan Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountains
Music Review: The best Hovhaness CD available
Rating: 5 Stars
If you don't know Hovhaness, you should, and this is the best CD of his works currently available. Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000), was born in Massachusetts but drew inspiration from several of the world's cultures, including Armenia (the homeland of his father). Hovhaness is one of the most prolific composers, ever, with 67 symphonies (!) to his credit. Many of his works contain subtitles making reference to nature ("Mountain of Prophecy," "Spirit of the Avalanche," "The Divine Fountain," etc.) Although this may seem a little corny, don't let this deter you from getting to know this lovely music.
One could describe his music as serene, haunting, ethereal and beautiful. His music is often compared to Vaughan Williams; however I believe that both are very different composers. Hovhaness' music contains more baroque influences, with the inclusion of chorales and fugues. Also, Hovhaness makes less frequent use of "traditional" melody. Although, I think it is fair to say that if you like Vaughan Williams you'll like Hovhaness.
I first came across Hovhaness' music several years ago which I dismissed as all sounding the same and being very boring. I now know much better, and realize that Hovhaness was actually a very gifted composer of beautiful music, and was actually ahead of his time, especially when considering the popularity of modern composers, such as Rautavaara.
The three symphonies on this disc are all outstanding. Symphony No. 2 "Mysterious Mountain" is his most frequently performed work, but I am not sure why, as the other two symphonies are equally appealing. The opening movements of each symphony are among the most beautiful symphonic pieces I have heard. My favorite is the opening of Symphony No. 50, with majestic string chords over pizzicato bass, followed by a woodwind solos over a moving harp part (this is typical of Hovhaness' technique). Each symphony is filled with beautiful and majestic solo playing (oboe, flute, horn, trumpet). As serene as all of this sounds, the music does occasionally build to great intensity. The "Volcano" movement of the "Mount St. Helens" symphony, for instance, shows Hovhaness at his most aggressive, with pounding drums, fanfaring brass and pulsating strings.
Hovhaness' reputation may be damaged by his own prolificy. If someone wrote 500 works, they are probably mediocre works at best, right? Well, I have purchased several Hovhaness CD's and have been uniformly impressed with this difficult to classify composer. It is a convenient assumption by the listening public, as well as the major CD labels, that Hovhaness only has a handful of works (ex: Symphony No. 2) worth hearing. This is a belief which, I believe, will be discredited, as enterprising artists and labels begin to shed light on Hovhaness' other works. The question is which label will be daring enough to issue the CD, "Hovhaness: The Symphonies, Volume I." I am partially kidding, but we do need more new recordings of Hovhaness' works.
Conclusion: Lovely, majestic music and fantastic playing on this CD!! Don't make the same mistake I initially did. Have an open mind and get to know the beautiful music of Hovhaness.
71:45
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Description of Alan Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountains
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Alan Hovhaness's symphonies contain hauntingly beautiful music full of fascinating orchestration and striking timbres. The Symphony No. 2, "Mysterious Mountain," was championed by Stokowski and Fritz Reiner, whose RCA recording put Hovhaness on the map. Like the other works on this disc, it reflects Hovhaness' view of mountains as "symbolic meeting points between the mundane and the spiritual world." A work of great depth and gorgeous effects, like the scintillating double fugue in the second movement, its molto cantabile section of the finale will delight fans of Vaughn Williams' Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. The 66th Symphony, "Hymn to Glacier Peak," dates from Hovhaness' 80th year and shares the same spirit as "Mysterious Mountain," with a moving Andante whose oboe and flute coloratura float high above a bed of strings, evoking wide, open spaces. Perhaps best known is Symphony No. 50, "Mount St. Helens," which includes a depiction of the volcano's 1980 eruption that will show off audiophile systems. Gerard Schwarz is Hovhaness' leading contemporary advocate and he gets terrific performances from the British band, all recorded in typically superb Telarc sound. This is a "don't-miss" release. --Dan Davis
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