Alan Hovhaness with Delos founder Amelia Haygood and conductor Gerard Schwarz |
One of the quickest and easiest ways to become a rabid Alan Hovhaness fan is to check out some of his instantly appealing chamber pieces. They provide instant insight into how his music works, since – with only a handful of instruments – you can hear every note and nuance, while savoring his hallmark economy of style and his use of the simplest possible means to realize his unique artistic designs. They exemplify the “mystic” aspects of his musical language, as well as our assertion that Hovhaness can be justifiably thought of as a composer of “world music” (see previous post). Several of the finest among these charming miniatures are among the selections featured in Delos’ newest Hovhaness collection celebrating the centenary of the composer’s birth. They are all beautifully realized by the vaunted Shanghai Quartet. Take a moment to glance over the following brief excerpts from my CD liner notes – and then click on the work titles to hear the actual album tracks. You’ll be glad you did!
The Bagatelles, Nos. 1-4 – for string quartet – date from the 1960s, and are revisions of materials used in earlier compositions. Short and fairly simple, the prevailing pattern spins flowing, freewheeling modal solo violin melodies, soaring over shimmering, subtly shifting harmonic foundations – with plucked-string textures predominant. The general regional flavor is middle-eastern, with whiffs of pentatonic scales in evidence.
Gamelan in Sosi Style and Spirit Murmur were originally composed as the fifth and first movements, respectively, of Hovhaness’ String Quartet No. 2 (1952); they are also the first two of three movements of a later suite drawn from that work. Like the Bagatelles, these are short pieces for string quartet, with one instrument providing the melody over foundation textures from the remaining players. In the first piece, the title’s “Gamelan” connotes both the highly varied instrumental ensembles and unique musical styles of Indonesian and other south-Pacific regions. Listen for a sweet, pentatonic-scale tune over a steady drone and plucked strings. In Spirit Murmur, we hear a free-flowing and mournful melody (with lots of half-steps) over a hushed pizzicato base.”
Stay tuned to the Delos Insider for a link to a scheduled New York Times article – to be published on October 23 – that will tie into this CD’s exploration of the “world music” aspects of Hovhaness’ lovely and lofty art.
—Lindsay Koob
AMERICAN MYSTIC
MUSIC OF ALAN HOVHANESS (1911-2000) ▪ CENTENNIAL COLLECTION
“My purpose is to create music not for snobs, but for all people; music which is beautiful and healing – to attempt what old Chinese painters called ‘spirit resonance’ in melody and sound.” — Alan Hovhaness
Featuring:
Prayer of St. Gregory, Op.62b
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam, Op.308
4 Bagatelles, Op.30 Nos.1-4
Symphony No.2, Op.132, Mysterious Mountain
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Gamelan in Sosi Style
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Spirit Murmur
The Flowering Peach, Op.125
And God Created Great Whales, Op.229, No.1
More Hovhaness albums on Delos: