Alan Hovhaness: Complete Works for Solo Organ
Although Alan Hovhaness (1911–2000) was born in Massachusetts and ended his days in Seattle, his music was profoundly coloured by his Armenian heritage, in particular through his fondness for the modal melos of the ancient Armenian church. His combination of modality and melisma, of hymn and dance, can often make him sound like an eastern cousin of Vaughan Williams. The organ is an ideal medium for his musical language, allowing it to range from timeless, questing prayer to gloriously full-bodied statements to stir the soul.
Tom Winpenny, organ of St. Albans Cathedral
Peter Wright, trumpet
Listen To This Recording:
- Dawn Hymn, Op. 138 (1953)* (4:16)
Organ Sonata No. 1, Op. 352 (1981) (14:05)
- I. Aria (4:17)
- II. Fuga (2:57)
- III. Dance (1:33)
- IV. Arioso (3:17)
- V. Madrigal (2:01)
- Prayer of St. Gregory, Op. 62b (1946, arr. 1946)* (4:31)
Organ Songa No. 2, Op. 386 “Invisible Sun” (1984) (18:42)
- I. Andante con moto – Allegro – Andante con moto (3:19)
- II. Adagio maestoso – Andante cantabile – Fugato: Moderato – Maestoso (5:31)
- III. Adagio con molto espressione – Espressivo (3:32)
- IV. Maestoso – Fuga – Maestoso (6:20)
Sonatina, Op. 382 (1983) (7:19)
- I. Andante (1:22)
- II. Allegretto pastorale (1:44)
- III. Adagio con molto espressione (4:13)
- Sonata for Organ No. 3, Op. 424 “Hermit Thrush” (1990) (6:57)
- Habakkuk, Op. 434 (1995)* (5:29)
Sanahin (Partita), Op. 69 (1951-66) (20:00)
- I. Prelude. Moderato maestoso (2:36)
- II. Estampie. Allegro (2:00)
- III. Meditation. Andante (2:47)
- IV. First Whirling. Allegro (2:57)
- V. Pastoral Meditation. Andante (3:17)
- VI. Second Whirling. Allegretto – Allegro – Allegretto (1:52)
- VII. Apparition in the Sky. Andante (2:52)
- VIII. Processional of Peace. Andante maestoso (1:39)
All Except * First Recordings
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