Alan Hovhaness: Unveiling One of the Great Composers of the 20th Century

"He has been composing music since he was four years old and at the age of eight found it necessary to defend his original style against the criticisms of his piano teacher. Since then after study in the New England Conservatory; the winning of two Guggenheim grants; and

recognition through a National Institute of Arts and Letters award, the critics and the public are mostly on his side. Downes of the New York Times pronounced him "one of the most individual and exotically expressive American composers of the rising generation." In his own words he was led to quote "search for an idiom more worthy of the wonderful tradition I had discovered."

For boldness and delicacy of imagination, for originality and individuality without eccentricity, for a great number of compositions each fresh and distinctive, for fusing old melody with modern technique and spirit, in short, for making music to lift the hearts of men as only music can, Bates College wishes to confer upon Alan Hovhaness, the honorary degree of Doctor of Music."

Thus reads the declaration read by Charles F. Phillips, the president of Bates College on June 7, 1959.

Today it is my honor to present William Holst, Alan Hovhaness' stepson, who served as co-author and curator of the book, Alan Hovhaness: Unveiling One of the Great Composers of the 20th Century.

Symphony No. 63, "Loon Lake", Op. 411 was performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, directed by Stewart Robertson, and recorded in 2007 at Henry Wood Hall, in Glasgow, Scotland.

"Macedonian Mountain Dance" featuring pianist Sahan Arzruni courtesy otherminds.org

Hovhaness: Sonata for Harp & Guitar, Op. 374 "Spirit of Trees" - V. Andante appassionato

https://youtu.be/CpaP5Et798A?si=24HqR-pdmKbItb_t

Special thanks to Maestro Gerard Schwarz, Artistic and Music Director of the Palm Beach Symphony, Charles Amirkhanian, Executive & Artistic Director, and Liam Herb, Production Director for otherminds.org. Our fact checker was Steve Freides.

Our theme music was played by ULULATION! Mister Radio is available wherever you get your podcasts, including iTunes and Spotify. Subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review, and don’t forget to tune in for another episode of Mister Radio!

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Today's guest journeyed from Soviet Russia to The United States of America to become a key member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. With the Messengers, he has performed at major concert halls, clubs, and festivals all over the world, and made numerous television appearances with the Messengers in Europe, Japan, and Brazil. In the United States he has made television appearances on "To Tell The Truth", the PBS network, National Geographic Today as well as CNN. It is my pleasure to introduce Valery Ponomarev to the show.

Remember, "Mister Radio" invites you to participate from the comfort of your own home where we will interview you about anything: politics, education, religion, science, industry or the arts. So, if you’d like to share your life with a thirty minute interview over the phone on ZOOM or any other platform please let us know by emailing misterradio2020@gmail.com.