Alan Hovhaness — Where to begin?

[Karl Henning]

Thanks to Simon, I discovered this recording:

[Karl Henning]

Connecting the dots in the composer's notes to the recording:  The idea for Requiem and Resurrection arose in 1967 after the first terribly cut performance of Symphony No. 19 "Vishnu."  I was deeply disappointed because I felt it was one of my best works.

. . . and The first performance [of "Vishnu"] was conducted by Andre Kostelanitz with the New York Philharmonic in 1967.

"Vishnu" had been commissioned by the NY Phil and Kostelanitz, so, I dunno, maybe the feeling that they had earned editorial rights was a function of feeling that they "owned" the composer on this occasion.

Personally, I find this story encouraging, both because there has been an occasion or two when my work was cut, in spite of my conviction of the value of the lost material;  partly because yesterday (per my blog post) was a story of discovering new music from the ashes of a disappointment.

[vandermolen]

Coincidentally was listening to 'Odysseus Symphony' and Symphony 6 'Celestial Gate' today - both fine works.

[Karl Henning]

Thanks to Simon, I discovered this recording:

[asin]B000003J74[/asin]

Revisiting this disc with rich pleasure this week.

[Mirror Image]

Coincidentally was listening to 'Odysseus Symphony' and Symphony 6 'Celestial Gate' today - both fine works.

Celestial Gate is certainly a fine work. Gorgeous music.

[schnittkease]

The Vishnu Symphony remains my favorite Hovhaness work. So mesmerizing!

[vandermolen]

The Vishnu Symphony remains my favorite Hovhaness work. So mesmerizing!

I think that No.11 'All Men are Brothers' is possibly my favourite - but there are many others I like including, 'Exile', 'Odysseus', 'Mount St Helens' and 'Celestial Gate'.

[aukhawk]

The Unicorn LP including Fra Angelico was mentioned on page 1 of this thread, and without trawling the intermediate x pages I'd go with that music as a good starter and my favourite Hovhaness, don't know about availability in a more recent recording or compilation.

[Karl Henning]

I think Lousadzak an excellent starting point.

And maybe I have already said so 

[vandermolen]

Also, a plug here for 'Meditation on Orpheus'.

[kyjo]

I really enjoy his Symphony no. 60 To the Appalachian Mountains, especially its folksy second movement.

[vandermolen]

I really enjoy his Symphony no. 60 To the Appalachian Mountains, especially its folksy second movement.

Yes, I agree - a very enjoyable work.

[Mirror Image]

Cross-posted from the 'Purchases' thread -

Placed a Hovhaness order:

Can anyone offer any feedback on any of these recordings? Did I make some nice selections? I wouldn't say I'm a complete Hovhaness novice, but there is a large gap in works that I've heard by this composer. I will say with great certainty that what I've heard so far has been immensely enjoyable.

[Mirror Image]

Also, a plug here for 'Meditation on Orpheus'.

Oh, this is a fine work, indeed, Jeffrey. There are some aggressive moments that sort of put Hovhaness into a different kind of compositional light.

[vandermolen]

Cross-posted from the 'Purchases' thread -

Can anyone offer any feedback on any of these recordings? Did I make some nice selections? I wouldn't say I'm a complete Hovhaness novice, but there is a large gap in works that I've heard by this composer. I will say with great certainty that what I've heard so far has been immensely enjoyable.

I have all those CDs John ( )
There is not a 'dud' amongst them - I enjoy them all.
As to high points - for me they would include Symphony 11 'All Men are Brothers' which has a movingly cathartic conclusion, which I'm sure you'll enjoy. Also the Naxos CD which combines the 'Exile Symphony' (No.1) with No.50 'Mount St Helens' is terrific. It combines two of the most memorable Delos recordings of Hovhaness's symphonies. Symphony 50'is possibly my favourite of the ones I know. 'City of Light' and 'Odysseus' as well as 'Celestial Gate' are all fine works as is the 'Spirit Murmur' disc of chamber-like works. Finally 'Saint Vartan' is an attractively oriental and exotic work. I like those old Crystal recordings. You have a treat in store for you! Some critics are very dismissive of Hovhaness's music, quoting its emphasis on 'atmosphere' rather than 'argument', however I respond to his music and always enjoy it at an emotional and aesthetic level.

[Mirror Image]

I have all those CDs John ( )
There is not a 'dud' amongst them - I enjoy them all.
As to high points - for me they would include Symphony 11 'All Men are Brothers' which has a movingly cathartic conclusion, which I'm sure you'll enjoy. Also the Naxos CD which combines the 'Exile Symphony' (No.1) with No.50 'Mount St Helens' is terrific. It combines two of the most memorable Delos recordings of Hovhaness's symphonies. Symphony 50'is possibly my favourite of the ones I know. 'City of Light' and 'Odysseus' as well as 'Celestial Gate' are all fine works as is the 'Spirit Murmur' disc of chamber-like works. Finally 'Saint Vartan' is an attractively oriental and exotic work. I like those old Crystal recordings. You have a treat in store for you! Some critics are very dismissive of Hovhaness's music, quoting its emphasis on 'atmosphere' rather than 'argument', however I respond to his music and always enjoy it at an emotional and aesthetic level.

Excellent, Jeffrey! Somehow I had a feeling you owned all of these discs. Of course, I've probably heard more Hovhaness works than I mentioned. I recall Celestial Gate being excellent. You mentioned Symphony No. 11 "All Men are Brothers" and I do remember this one --- very enjoyable work, indeed. As for the critics, well...not all of them feel this way and those that do, I could really careless, because everyone has a right to their opinion regardless if I agree or disagree. You may remember reading this, but I seem to recall that Hovhaness didn't handle criticism well at all. He burned nearly 500 compositions after attending Tanglewood as Bernstein made some comment about the piano work of Hovhaness' he was playing only to stop and say something along the lines of "Cheap, ghetto music". I'm paraphrasing here as I don't remember the exact quote. Interestingly enough Hovhaness found support from composers like John Cage and Lou Harrison. This negative snipe from Bernstein may have had a positive effect in the end as it was at this point after burning all of these early compositions that Hovhaness found his 'voice' as he turned to his Armenian roots and the rest as they say was musical history.

[Mirror Image]

Added these two recordings to my initial order:



I'm sure you own these as well, Jeffrey.

[kyjo]

I haven't heard a Hovhaness work I haven't liked. I particularly enjoy Symphonies 2 (Mysterious Mountain), 3, 22 (City of Light), 46 (To the Green Mountains), and 60 (To the Appalachian Mountains), the Guitar (no. 1) and Cello Concertos, Khrimian Hairig, The Prayer of St. Gregory, Prelude and Quadruple Fugue, and the three Armenian Rhapsodies. There's so much I've yet to explore...

[Mirror Image]

I haven't heard a Hovhaness work I haven't liked. I particularly enjoy Symphonies 2 (Mysterious Mountain), 3, 22 (City of Light), 46 (To the Green Mountains), and 60 (To the Appalachian Mountains), the Guitar (no. 1) and Cello Concertos, Khrimian Hairig, The Prayer of St. Gregory, Prelude and Quadruple Fugue, and the three Armenian Rhapsodies. There's so much I've yet to explore...

Same here, Kyle. He had such a distinctive compositional voice. Have you heard Meditation on Orpheus? Awesome work that I just discovered today thanks to Jeffrey's post about it.

https://www.youtube.com/v/deGFj_Q0RoM

[kyjo]

Same here, Kyle. He had such a distinctive compositional voice. Have you heard Meditation on Orpheus? Awesome work that I just discovered today thanks to Jeffrey's post about it.

https://www.youtube.com/v/deGFj_Q0RoM

Nope, I haven't; I'll definitely check it out!