Customer Reviews

Mysterious Mountain; God Creat

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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.

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!

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...

Alan Hovhaness has long been a favorite fro concertgoers and now Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra bring us one of the most thrilling performances right to our home. The CD begins with Mysterious Mountain which is a piece that has tone colors and orchestral flavor that only Hovhaness could have created. As you listen to this piece, you can almost invision these great mountain climbing into the sky; a boundless mass of strength and glory. The other piece that sticks out on this CD is "And God Created Great Whales." The work begins with the string section; quiet and unoticed as it gathers strength. The music builds and the addition of real whale sounds make the work an exceptional listening experience. The work ends with a final crash as though a whale has just dived into the water.

The rendition of the "Mysterious Mountain" symphony is excellent. But a work, new to me, "The Prayer of St. Gregory" is my favorite on this CD. This CD is Hovhaness at his best.