Charles Amirkhanian Collection ➔ Speaking of Music: Alan Hovhaness, Oct. 1989, 1 of 2

Digital Audio


Event Type
Interview and Music
Origin
C Amirkhanian
Identifier
SOM.1989.10.03.A
Program Series
Speaking of Music
Program Length
127 min
Part
1 of 2
Dates
1990-02-08 | broadcast
| 1989-10-03 | created
Description
Charles Amirkhanian interviews composer Alan Hovhaness for the San Francisco Exploratorium’s Speaking of Music series, recorded on October 3, 1989. The Armenian-American composer discusses the roots of his musical expression and demonstrates various techniques on the piano. His music is performed by New York pianist Şahan Arzruni, who brings unexcelled vigor to Hovhaness’ early keyboard works and who himself poses some pertinent questions and introduces his evaluation and analysis. Arzruni is later joined by percussionist William Winant in a stirring rendition of selected movements from the rarely performed “Invocations to Vahaken”. (from KPFA Folio)
Genres
20th century classical
Musical Selections
Midnight Bell [from “Five Visionary Landscapes, Op. 214”] (1965) / Alan Hovhaness -- Two Ghazals, Op. 36a–b (1963) / Alan Hovhaness -- Khaldis [excerpt] (1951) / Alan Hovhaness -- Fra Angelico, Op.220 [excerpt] (1967) / Alan Hovhaness
Performers
Şahan Arzruni, piano (Midnight Bell, 2 Ghazals)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Angelico)
Alan Hovhaness, conductor (Angelico)
Subjects
20th century classical
Composition (Music)
Spiritualism
Musical intervals and scales
Music -- China
Music -- Japan
Piano music
Sextets (Piano, 4 trumpets, percussion)
Concertos (Piano with instrumental ensemble)
Orchestral music
Acknowledgment
Funding for the preservation of this program made possible through a grant by Save America’s Treasures, a program of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.