Hovhaness - Mountains and Rivers Without End; Symphony No.6

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000)

Chamber Symphony 'Mountains and Rivers Without End'; 

Prayer of St. Gregory for trumpet and string orchestra; 

Symphony No. 6 'Celestial Gate'; 

Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Symphony 'Return and Rebuild the Desolate Places'

 Manhattan Chamber Orchestra

Richard Auldon Clark 

Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) was an Armenian-American composer who has probably done more experimenting with modes, styles, and instruments in his music than any composer in this country. Mountains and Rivers Without End (1968) was inspired by the Korean landscape and opens with extended sliding passages for the trombone. His music has often been described as being mystical and you'll find that here, especially in Prayer of St. Gregory (1946) and the Aria from Haroutiun (1948) that also make extensive use of the trumpet. His Symphony 6 Celestial Gate (1955) is about as mystical as you can get and as good as you can get. --Paul Cook