.com Alan Hovhaness is an Armenian American composer whose music knows no end to experiments with styles, modes, and even instrumentation. But the core of his work seems to be mystical, as in Symphony 6 Celestial Gate based on a painting by the mystic Hermon de Giovanno. His Concerto for Orchestra, No. 7 is a 1953 work with Hindustan elements in it; but like a true concerto for orchestra, it makes its rounds to all the instruments. Tzaikerk, or Evening Song, is for flute, violin, timpani and string orchestra is heavily influenced by Korean (or Asian) music. This is a diverse collection by one of our best. --Paul Cook
D**L
Fantastic Composer!
Alan Hovhaness is not necessarily a household name outside of classical music enthusiasts, however he nevertheless was a skilled composer with a wide repertoire which is all focused on bold and beautiful selections of music. If you are curious take the plunge, you will definitely enjoy this composer.
P**L
Wonderful, well-chosen mix of Hovhaness orchestral pieces.
A superb collection of some of Hovhaness's better orchestral pieces . Superb performances, beautifully recorded, of some of Hovhaness's most haunting music. My favorite Hovhaness orchestral album by far. A must for all Hovhannes lovers, and for those who would like to venture just a little off of the beaten path of the standard classical repertoire into the beautiful, haunting, mystical world of Alan Hovhaness. Buy this one - you won't regret it!
G**H
Emotional Strings
Every so often I am introduced to some new composer by my classical music radio station, something outside the usual top 40. Hovhaness? Who's that? And how could I have never heard this before? "Celestial Gate" is reminiscent of hearing the soaring, emotional sort of music such as by Samuel Barber or Mahler for the first time... I knew I wanted to own this excellent recording.
S**N
An "okay" CD with one really wonderful piece.
Celestial Gate is a nice album for those who like the music of Alan Hovhaness. Don't let the name "Celestial Gate" lead you astray, this is not "New Age" music. It's Twentieth Century Classical. However, Some of Hovahaness's compositions are deeply spiritual or sacred. I purchased this CD specifically for the "Prayer of Saint Gregory" track, which moved me quite deeply when I heard our local NPR station play it early one morning. This track truly sounds like a prayer, using solo trumpet over a soft, mellow orchestral progression. Parts of the melody were very reminiscent of a hymn we have sung in church, yet I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But the deeply spiritual feelings which came over me at that moment were very strong. The rest of the CD proved to be much less inspiring, at least for me. But it's still a nice CD to put on while you're working around the house, or perhaps for a gathering of friends for dinner. But when the Prayer of Saint Gregory comes on, it still makes me stop whatever I'm doing, to listen.
S**S
It’s Hovhaness
I’m not an expert on Hovhaness, but I enjoy his sonic and melodic style, and this recording is no exception.
R**R
Five Stars
Great stuff form this always interesting American composer.
B**E
Buy several collections as he has many influences
Very nice collection!
P**N
Five Stars
Great
M**L
Sogwirkung
Ich habe den Schub abgestellt und gleite nun mit meinem Raumschiff durch die Galaxien. Über die Bordmusik läuft Hovhaness. Mehr brauch ich nicht
