Magnificat; Cantata from Symph

Here we have a religion-based symphony (with features of a tone poem), beautifully sung and played along with a number of other religious short vocal works. Hovhaness's oriental techniques focus more on "the journey" than they do on "the destination". He presents us here with a celebration of the mysterious and mystical rites, transcending materialism. You do not have to be a particularly religious person to much enjoy these compositions.

The focus of this body of work manifests the spirituality of ancient and Byzantine Christianity, favoring the community rather than the individual. The music, overall, is a nice blend of harmony, melody, and occasional dissonance.

Magnificat, opus 157, (1958) -- The basis for the composition is the Virgin Mary's hymn of praise upon hearing that she is to bear the incarnation of God to mankind, as found in the Gospel of St. Luke. It represents the joining of the human and the divine.

The music is punctuated with complex eight-part block chords. Instruments and voices repeat musical patterns randomly and independently, volume and intensity varying, generating an underlying mystery and agitation, (a technique called "senza misura").

Magnificat has 12 movements (all named), utilizing various choruses. The orchestra at St. John's Cathedral (Denver, Colorado) was conducted by Donald Pearson and includes 6 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 2 bass violins (double-bass), 1 flute, 2 oboes, 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, 1 harp, 2 timpani/percussionists, and 1 organ, (a 1938 W.W. Kimball, played by Eric Plutz).

The other works are: Psalm 23 (from Symphony No. 12, opus 188); Jesus Christ Is Risen Today; O for a Shout of Sacred Joy; O God, Our Help in Ages Past; The Lord's Prayer; Peace Be Multiplied; Out of the Depths (from Psalm 130, written 1938); Jesus, Lover of My Soul; A Rose Tree Blossoms.

These works range in presentation from "minimalist," (Jesus Christ Is Risen Today), to "American Colonial," (O for a Shout of Sacred Joy). There are 22 tracks on the CD in all.

I cannot say enough good about this CD -- a masterwork.

As mysterious as anyone familiar with Hovhaness expects, yet this music is spiritual and moving. The melody that develops twoard the end is beautiful. Hovhaness's settings of well-known hymns are a wonderful surprise - lovely tunes that fit the hymns well. Delos's "natural recording" is realistic but requires concentration to enjoy the details of the music.

This is one of my favorite CDs of Christian hymns and worship music. I would be sorry to be without it.