Saturday, August 23, 2014

Hovhaness-Talin (and works by Diamond, Barber, etc.)


Fantastic disc from Citadel records 1995 (was originally an lp from 1977, the analog-to-digital transfer is superb) Needless to say I bought this back then especially for Hovhaness's Talin, but it's an essential recording of American music (especially the Barber and Diamond) all around. Enjoy!


                        


"Talin," according to Hovhaness, "was an ancient Armenian cathedral whose beautiful ruins are a monument of architectural wonder, grandeur, and expressiveness." The music inspired by these ruins is considered by many Hovhaness specialists to be among the composer's most consistently inspired and most fully consummated creations. Originally scored for viola in 1952, the work was captured several years later in a magnificent performance by violist Emanuel Vardi on an MGM recording only briefly in circulation. During the mid 1970s, Hovhaness created an alternate version of the work for clarinetist Lawrence Sobol, who was an ardent champion of the composer's music during the 1970s and 80s. Sobol recorded this version of the work in 1977, a performance that was later reissued on compact disc. However, the intensity and fervent rapture of the work are generally felt to be more effectively projected by the viola.


"Talin" comprises three movements. In the first, somber melismatic incantations in an unusually dark, chromatic mode are heard in alternation with searingly devout passages of imitative modal counterpoint. The short second movement is a lively dance in Armenian style with virtuoso opportunities for the soloist. In the solemn third movement, reverent hymnlike passages, intensified by poignant suspensions and appoggiaturas, alternate with blisteringly ornate solo arabesques, which gradually build together toward an ecstatic conclusion.


http://www43.zippyshare.com/v/16210139/file.html

8 comments:

theblueamos said...

Thank you for this beauty.A.H is one of the composers who got me started on classical music,I can still remember the old living presnce record,I think it was the 4th symphony.Furthermore I would like to thank you for the Arnold Rosner concerto grosso album,Not the appropriate term to use now a days,but I was blown away .All the best from jerusalem.

Anonymous said...

GRACIAS,THANKS FOR HOVHANESS X 3 CD'S AWESOME!!,MUCHAS GRACIAS,MY FRIEND,SUBLIME CD OF USA,THE PIANO CONCERTO FOUR 2 PIANOS,SUPER!! TAPIRMAN

Tzadik said...

Hey theblueamos. You are quite welcome. My first experiences with classical music (when I finally sat down to listen that is, my father had been pushing classical on me since I was 11 or 12, but to no avail..it took another 6 years!) were the music of Prokofiev and also Kodaly. I was enchanted by the Lt. Kije Suite of Sergei and equally the Hary Janos Suite of Zoltan. Indeed they both share a similar "story" so to speak.
-I knew you would like the Rosner, he is/was a force of nature, quite brilliant. I could go on and on about him but I wont ;) -Kind regards

Tzadik said...

Hi Tapirman, thank you as always for your enthusiastic comments :-) Very happy you are enjoying the music! Saludos!!

Tzadik said...

theblueamos I hope you also d/l the Rosner String Quartets, and the two harpisichord discs? The quartets are amazing imo. I'm surprised that others haven't been raving about these uploads, unless people just overlook them. Anyhow I will be posting all commercially available Rosner, so stay tuned!

Tzadik said...

Also I have the Mercury disc with AH's 4th Symphony (for winds/band) if you want it. The 4th has been recorded direct digital on other labels too (like Naxos) but the Mercury is great. I think it was Howard Hanson directing the Eastman-Rochester but I'm not positive

AT said...

Many thanks and regards from The Netherlands.
Veel dank en groeten uit Nederland.

orbisonn1 said...

Hallol Me once again - Can you repost this CD - the link is death - Thanks for all the beautifull music - Greetings from Flanders Belgium