Klarinet Archive - Posting 000217.txt from 2010/09

From: "Kevin Fay" <kevin.fay.home@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Hovhaness: Firdausi
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:35:29 -0400

helen.jennifer@-----.com, d/b/a Jennifer Jones, posted:

<<<
I think we played a piece called "Magic mountain" when I was in orchestra,
but all I get is six flags and holy mountain when I search HOVHANESS magic
mountain on google. We didn't have nude dancers.>>>

Possibly Mysterious Mountain, Op. 132 (Symphony No. 2)? Or Mountain Of
Prophecy, Op.195? Hovhaness apparently liked mountains.

My orchestra recorded Mountain Of Prophecy with his Symphony No. 15. We had
the honor of having Hovhaness present at the recording sessions, along with
what must have been wife no. 6. He looked to be about 100 years old at the
time, and was not altogether coherent. From time to time he wiggled his
hands in the air - with Dan's explanation, I now understand.

Same orchestra: public concert a couple of years earlier. Played his Prayer
of St. Gregory (interlude from opera "Etchmiadzin") for trumpet & string
orchestra, Op. 62b. Since there's no clarinet part, I was able to watch
from the audience. When the piece was finished, our conductor did the usual
bow and gesticulation one does when the composer is in the house. Mr.
Hovhaness tottered up to the stage, retrieved the PA microphone from the
stand, and proceeded to tell us that while he didn't remember writing the
piece, he certainly did enjoy how we played it.

This must have been a couple of years or so before his death (in 2000) at
the ripe age of 89. He completed his last two symphonies (Nos. 66 and 67)
in 1992, well past his 80th birthday.

I aspire to being old enough to make youngsters uncomfortable.

kjf

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