Hovhaness, Alan - Piano Works - Pompili, Alessandra (Piano)

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This CD offers a small selection of works by the American composer of Armenian origin Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000). It is a consciously eclectic choice in terms of chronology and inspiration: a glimpse of the production of a prolific composer who is under-performed in Europe. It is not easy to define Hovhaness' position within contemporary music, given his decision to stay away from the European avant-garde and study the Eastern music traditions alongside with classical polyphony. The influences that Hovhaness felt were important in his musical pathway are too numerous to enumerate: they go from Händel, Bach, Sibelius to extra-musical aspects such as the philosophical lesson of Francis Bacon, his friendship with Hermon di Giovanno, his religious attitude, his passion for astronomy and his love for nature - the latter three are especially evident in compositions for ensembles or orchestra. As a result, Hovhaness' style is entirely individual to the point, as said above, to make of him a unique case in the history of contemporary music.