Hovhaness, Alan - Symphony No. 60 / Guitar Concerto / Khrimian Hairig - Schwarz, Gerard (conductor)

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ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10

SOUND QUALITY: 10

(CLASSICSTODAY.com)





• Of Armenian and Scottish extraction, the American composer Alan Hovhaness was a trend-setting pioneer who absorbed a variety of archaic and modern influences from East and West. He once said: “My purpose is to create music, not for snobs, but for all people – music which is beautiful and healing.”



• This disc includes two world première recordings: the Guitar Concerto Op. 325 and the Symphony No. 60 Op. 396.



• Described by the composer’s wife as his ‘true masterpiece’, Khrimian Hairig, with its trumpet solo, recalls the heroic Armenian priest of the title. Hovhaness’ virtuoso and romantic Guitar Concerto was written for the Bolivian guitarist Juan Calderon. The Symphony No. 60 ‘To the Appalachian Mountains’, expresses the composer’s love of the music and folk poetry of the Appalachians.



David Leisner (guitar), Lars Ranch (trumpet)

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz


Alan Hovhaness

1. Khrimian Hairig, Op. 49



Guitar Concerto, Op. 325

2. I. Largo

3. II. Andante espressivo

4. III. Allegro Moderato



Symphony No. 60, Op. 396, "To the Appalachian Mountains"

5. I. Adagio doloroso

6. II. Allegro

7. III. Senza misura: Adagio

8. IV. Finale: Andante - Allegro