2.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely an acquired taste, May 13 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Mysterious Mountain; God Creat (Audio CD)
Just a cautionary note to check this out before parting with any money. Make sure you like what you hear first because most people who expect a symphony to have some sort of unifying structure and thematic development will almost certainly find this ( like most Hovhaness ) unbearably schmalzy and boring.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Images, Oct 11 2002
This review is from: Mysterious Mountain; God Creat (Audio CD)
Hovhaness' compositions create a whirilwind of pictures in the mind of his listeners. As the sounds enchant you the mood strikes out images of Pacific Northwest, Humpback Whales, a crystal night of stars, and one mountain shrouded in enigma.
It is almost like hearing a Monet painting. Many sounds that create a melodious blur adding up to a beautiufl musical landscape. What Monet did for French gardens, Hovhaness does for the North Pacific sea life! Hovhaness paints scenic symphonies dotted with flections of color and mood.
I highly recomend this album to anyone in search of beautiful symphonic sound pictures!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The least "American" of all American composers, July 8 2002
This review is from: Mysterious Mountain; God Creat (Audio CD)
American composer Walter Piston once said:
"The best way to serve the American cause
in music is to remain true to a personal
style instead of trying to figure out formulas
for'Americanisms'".Alan Hovhaness does just that,
he remains true to his very personal and original
musical style, like no other composer in the
20th century. His music is tonal, he uses polyphony
in some works.His works evoke a very spiritual
world and his music is tonal; "Atonality goes against
nature" the composer once said.
If you are not familiar with the music
of Hovhaness, this is a good time
to start listening to his works...
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