MUSIC OF ALAN HOVHANESS: SYMPHONY NO. 11...

MUSIC OF ALAN HOVHANESS: SYMPHONY NO. 11 (“ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS”); ARMENIAN RHAPSODY NO. 1; “PRAYER OF SAINT GREGORY”; “TZAIKERK.” Thomas Stevens, trumpet; Eudice Shapiro, violin; Gretel Shanley, flute; Hovhaness conducting Royal Philharmonic; Ernest Gold conducting Crystal Chamber Orchestra. Crystal Records Compact Disc CD 801. SYMPHONY NO. 9 (“SAINT VARTAN”); “ARTIK.” Hovhaness conducting National Philharmonic; Meir Rimon, horn; David Amos conducting Israel Philharmonic. Crystal Records Compact Disc CD 802. These two recordings bring to the CD catalogue a healthy sampling of an important American composer. Not all find Hovhaness’ eclectic sounds to their liking; it’s a curious amalgam of Renaissance-sounding music, Armenian folk tunes and bits and pieces of Western, Indian and Japanese music that are filtered through Hovhaness’ unique perspective. The best place to start is with the accessible Concerto for horn and strings (Ramon’s horn sings out with strength and clarity) and “Prayer of Saint Gregory” before moving on to the two difficult yet ultimately rewarding symphonies.