Alan Hovhaness * Sinfonia n. 49 op. 356 "Christmas symphony"

[@bgccallahan4116]

My 4th year of conjuring up this music on Christmas Eve. Grateful. Was always in Los Angeles until this year, but now making happiness for a friend who lost his wife in 2018 in Denver...has not had a pleasant Christmas ever since. Special Yule for me. Glad my spouse and family agreed to this. Forever honoring Hovhaness for the heartfelt spirituality he has provided me and mine since the 1960s.

[@gurusoft1]

This piece, Christmas Symphony is touching, sweet, melodic, with American West and Asian motifs, influences. Still has those subtle Hovhannes twists and turns; unexpected notes in melody and phrasing. The piece fills one with joy. Very well performed. What a marvelous composer Hovhannes is!

[@ronaldbwoodall2628]

This is a gorgeous work, which could be considered in the style of Vaughan Williams' Christmas carol settings. It is what I call "pure music", devoid of any pretense, evoking its' inspirational source. Hovhaness was a genius in providing a wide range of emotions within his chosen musical style and vocabulary; for a different experience, his 50th Symphony, "Mt. St. Helen's", stands in contrast.

[@rolandbuck4005]

+ronald b woodall The similarity between Vaughan Williams and Hovhaness is that both of their music is modal. But the important difference is that Hovhaness exposure to modality comes from eastern music, including Armenian music, while Vaughan William's was from British folk music. As a result Vaughan Williams' music does not sound eastern, while Hovhaness' does.

[@robertroyal8713]

instablaster

[@bgccallahan4116]

I noticed the modality/sensibility of "Mysterious Mountain" and "Thomas Tallis" fantasia back in 1968. I was autistically obsessed with classical music from an early age. Your comment is wonderful. Wherever you are after 7 years...

[@gurusoft1]

Some of my favorite pieces by the marvelous Armenian American composer Alan Hovhannes: -Celestial Gate - a tour de force; a trip. This piece is magnificent; beautiful, so precious -Mysterious Mountain - first and last 5 minutes are some of the most magnificent chords I have ever heard. Mysticism personified. -Hymn to Glacier Peak - Soaringly beautiful -Concerto #8 - my current favorite of his. So well done. So unique. -Loon Lake - a magnificent nature journey -St. Gregory - holy -Alleluia and Fugue -Arevakal -Khrimian Hairig -Cello Concerto -The Spirit of the Trees -Christmas Symphony (this piece; touching, rich, complex) -City of Light

[@donmarley69]

Well he grew up in the Armenian church and was the organist their for years. He’s ethnically and culturally Armenia even if only half by blood. That Liturgy (Badarg/Patarak) changes you other than being from a non-Western European background.

[@georgeguman]

Such a sweetness to this composition.

[@CPMSanDiego]

The selected works of Alan Hovhaness are truly inspiring.

[@Martin588]

Music that truly aligns the chakras!

[@auldbrass]

Fantastic under-programmed work; Here are movements as identified from the score published by Fujihara Music Co.: 0:00 I. Celestial Prophecy 6:36 II. The Angel 9:07 III. Pastoral 12:13 IV. The Star (NOTE: "...watchman tell of us the night" not indicated in score) The following sections of Movement IV are not identified as movements, but would seem to almost warrant..... 15:06 marked Allegretto (ca 80) 18:09 marked Grazioso (ca.54) 19:25 marked Andante espressivo (ca. 88) (lots of rubato toward end)

[@MAFussell]

Absolutely beautiful. When I first heard this years ago, it never sounded like a Christmas symphony, but it sounds great anytime. A masterpiece by Hovhaness.

[@kaybeenullenvoyde9196]

This is heartachingly sweet.

[@extrasalt4595]

Maestro Schwarz really seems to enjoy conducting this composer's oeuvre. Hoomeyow!!

[@starmountainkid]

Just getting into Hovhaness' music. I like this very much. Thank you.

[@chiufranz]

A new Hovhaness Symphony Upload! Thank you!

[@bgccallahan4116]

It is now December 28, 2022. i wish there were more recent comments also appearing here, would love to hear.

[@jackwilmoresongs]

This sounds a little like one of the British works of Vaughn Williams. I am beginning to like Hovhaness's style. I have heard about four of them now.

[@williamphillips6247]

The first movement is definitely a little Vaughan Williams-ish. So warm and beautiful.

[@eottoe2001]

Profound

[@kuang-licheng402]

nice

[@vshagoyan]

Nice fugue at 15:08

[@rmlatin]

How you think and what is in your conscious, sub conscious and unconscious is how you will compose. These older composers from the 16 to the 19th century lived in a world that while difficult had a purer stream of thought and more spiritual devotion. These days with all this madness of mens in womens sports, men can have birth etc, where up is down and down is up few composers can match the old great ones who through the centuries still celebrated and played