My father was very kind and surprised me with a few gifts today, all cds-and this new Hovhaness disc is one of them, which I had been dying to get anyhow. So, this something of a 'family' post :)
This is a recent (2015) recording that should be of much interest especially to die-hard Hovhaness fans as it contains the world premiere recording of the Symphony No. 48 "Vision of Andromeda". The magnificent "Prelude and Quadruple Fugue", easily (only imo!) the best work on this disc, which has been recorded several times before, while the Concerto for Soprano Saxophone here receives its second recording (the first modern recording is on the 2011 Boston Modern Orchestra Project disc). The Saxophone Concerto will be a delicacy for Saxophone enthusiasts I would imagine, and as the back cover notes mention-this is indeed the most romantic concerto that Hovhaness has penned-that has survived, I would personally add (as most of you will know, he destroyed a tremendous amount of early compositions, hypercritical as he was then. This was also equally fueled by nasty comments from some of the 'academics' of the time). As for the symphony I am listening to it for the second time as I type; my first hearing whilst driving earlier didn't impress me very much, although there are many signature AH gestures here that I always love (the brilliant counterpoint and fugal subjects, the grouped pizzicato strings, the mystical spaces created by employing bells-here played more rapidly than usual-and other metal percussion..) and find simply enchanting. To be fair, driving is quite the distraction, and while I had miles of open road, it is just not the ideal way to listen to a work for the first time. And a symphony no less.. So, I now plead guilty to making an unfocused and premature judgement. I am enjoying Opus 355 ten fold at this very moment, and although there is clearly a drop of melodic 'recycling' going on-at least the source is incredibly beautiful and from the man himself. Yes, I am now becoming quite blissfully lost in it all-a singing oboe and chiming bells like ice crystals flittering in a mysterious cosmos.
Enjoy!!
Hovhaness_Symphony_No.48_Vision_of_Andromeda_etc._Tzadik.zip
http://www2.zippyshare.com/v/gcUNDs3S/file.html
11 comments:
Thank you.
New Hovhaness! Great. Thanks as always.
Piterets
SUUUUUUUPER Hovhaness inédito Sinfonia 48,un eon de gracias y abrazos,Don Tzadik,gracias,thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dr.Tapirman.
Hi Eric, you are welcome. Thank you for commenting!
TZ
Hi Piterets friend. Hope you enjoy. I am getting into the symphony more at this point. It is not one of Hovhaness's profound works, but it is quite beautiful. The orchestra plays wonderfully and of course Schwarz is one of the greatest AH conductors.
TZ
DokTor T.... I knew you'd be excited about the new Hovhaness ;-D your TZ
As a resident of Washington state (Home for most of Hovhaness' life) I have always been proud of "our" composer. Although his output is huge and some of the work isn't as engaging as others, but THIS disc is superb. A wonderful listening experience, thank you.
Many thanks and regards from The Netherlands.
Veel dank en groeten uit Nederland.
Paul, I wanted nothing more than to make a "pilgrimage" (don't forget I am a true Hovhaness freak) to Washington to try to meet Hovhaness; for years and years I promised myself I would do so, that I had to in my lifetime.. Financially though I really never could spend the extra $$ on a trip/lodging, so I have immense regret and always will. I still would love nothing more to see the mountains from his home window that so inspired him each day!I have thought about trying to meet/contact his widow Hinako, perhaps I will, but who knows when. TZ
I certainly hope you get the chance. If you love Hovhaness I am making a pecial Hovhaness Guitar collection for my blog, It should be up by tomorrow if you'd like to check in...
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