At the recording session with (left to right) Delos founder Amelia Heygood, conductor Gerard Schwarz, & composer Alan Hovhaness |
Delos salutes the great 20th Century composer and “American Mystic” Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) on the Centennial of his birth. In his unique musical style Hovhaness found a powerful way to express his reverence for our earth and all its creatures.
Influenced deeply by poetry, nature and spirituality, the music of Alan Hovhaness combines the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with the lyric mysticism of the Armenian and early Christian church. Mixing Western and Asian styles into accessible, romantic and powerful music, Hovhaness’ work continues to enjoy long-term popularity.
Press Quotes about Hovhaness’ recordings on Delos:
“With their reflections of Nature, the spiritual, and the oriental, the symphonies of Alan Hovhaness are rapidly acquiring cult status.”
– CD Review (UK)“It’s good to see the music of Alan Hovhaness returning to wide public attention again. His is an utterly original, inventive style of nobility, free of pretense. …fine performances in sensational 20-bit sound. It is also the first to gather so much of the best Hovhaness creations onto a single disc.” In Tune
As part of a Hovhaness Centennial concert tonight in Seattle, Michael York reprises his narration of the beautiful “Rubaiyat” heard on Delos (DE 3352).
ArkivMusic is having a Delos Sale. From now until April 4, 2011, find these Hovhaness recordings at a discount on ArkivMusic.com:
Delos Double – Hovhaness Collection Vol 2
Hovhaness: Spirit Murmur; Zhou Long / The Shanghai Quartet
Hovhaness: Star Dawn / Keith Brion, Christian Lindberg
Hovhaness: Magnificat / Donald Pearson
Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountain, Etc / Schwarz, Seattle Symphony
Hovhanness: Symphony No 29 “Trombone”, Prayer of St Gregory, Etc / Schwarz, Lindberg