Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountain/And God Created Great Whales | Alan Hovhaness, Gerard Schwarz, ......

Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountain/And God Created Great Whales | Alan Hovhaness, Gerard Schwarz, ... | The least "American" of all American composers

classical music:

Harry Potter and t... Identity Heddle Nash Chopper Hovhaness: Mysteri...

	Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountain/And God Created Great Whales Alan Hovhaness, Gerard Schwarz, ... Delos Records, 1994 average customer review:based on 14 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Great example of the neo-classical

The rendition of the "Mysterious Mountain" symphony is excellent. But a work, new to me, "The Prayer of St. Gregory" is my favorite on this CD. This CD is Hovhaness at his best.

The least "American" of all American composers

American composer Walter Piston once said:
"The best way to serve the American cause
in music is to remain true to a personal
style instead of trying to figure out formulas
for'Americanisms'".Alan Hovhaness does just that,
he remains true to his very personal and original
musical style, like no other composer in the
20th century. His music is tonal, he uses polyphony
in some works.His works evoke a very spiritual
world and his music is tonal; "Atonality goes against
nature" the composer once said.
If you are not familiar with the music
of Hovhaness, this is a good time
to start listening to his works...

for more information click here

Images

Hovhaness' compositions create a whirilwind of pictures in the mind of his listeners. As the sounds enchant you the mood strikes out images of Pacific Northwest, Humpback Whales, a crystal night of stars, and one mountain shrouded in enigma.

It is almost like hearing a Monet painting. Many sounds that create a melodious blur adding up to a beautiufl musical landscape. What Monet did for French gardens, Hovhaness does for the North Pacific sea life! Hovhaness paints scenic symphonies dotted with flections of color and mood.

I highly recomend this album to anyone in search of beautiful symphonic sound pictures!

for more information click here

Music for Anyone

Alan Hovhaness has long been a favorite fro concertgoers and now Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra bring us one of the most thrilling performances right to our home. The CD begins with Mysterious Mountain which is a piece that has tone colors and orchestral flavor that only Hovhaness could have created. As you listen to this piece, you can almost invision these great mountain climbing into the sky; a boundless mass of strength and glory. The other piece that sticks out on this CD is "And God Created Great Whales." The work begins with the string section; quiet and unoticed as it gathers strength. The music builds and the addition of real whale sounds make the work an exceptional listening experience. The work ends with a final crash as though a whale has just dived into the water.

for more information click here

reviews: 1, 2, page 3

products you might be interested in

recommendations

American Orchestral Music (of mid-20th Century)
Delos, Philips and Teldec Favorites
American Symphonies, Part 1
My Desert Island Albums
Off the beaten tracks