The mother-daughter team of violinist Zina Schiff and conductor Avlana Eisenberg present the music of Alan Hovhaness, one of America’s most prolific composers, with music characterized by a signature synthesis of East and West. Influenced by his Armenian heritage and a fascination with nature and spirituality, he sought to create music “for all people, music which is beautiful and healing.” This collection of works featuring the violin includes world premiere recordings of Les Baux, Op. 261 (1973) and the Violin Sonata, Op. 11 (1937), plus a premiere commercial recording of Concerto No. 2, and a world premiere arrangement of Oror (“Lullaby”), Op. 1. Evocations of Armenian liturgy contrasted with Scottish jigs can be heard in the Violin Sonata, while Concerto No. 2, one of a series of ten concertos for various instruments, requires both soloist and ensemble to play using effects associated with Henry Cowell, including unmeasured sections and tone clusters.
Hovhaness: Concerto No. 2 for Violin & Strings; Works for Violin and Piano
A welcome addition to the recorded catalogue of Hovhaness’ works, displaying his typically ingratiating fusion of Eastern and Western styles. Of particular interest is the Violin Concerto No. 2, but the entire album is filled with vivid performances of his mystical music. The highlight, albeit short, is the short Lullaby that concludes the album — the composer’s official Opus 1 in what was to become a huge lifetime oeuvre comprising hundreds of compositions.
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