The Mystic Beauty of Armenian Music
Date: Sunday, November 14, 2010 Time: 3:00 PM
11/14/2010 12:00:00 PM11/14/2010 12:00:00 PMAmerica/Los_AngelesThe Mystic Beauty of Armenian Music At The former Rashi Auditorium15 Walnut Park, Newton, MA 02458Website: https://newtonsymphony.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=296527FalseMM/DD/YYYY
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Second Subscription Concert
The two greatest Armenian composers are more striking in their differences than in their similarities. Alan Hovhaness, though partially of American descent, was born “next door” in Watertown, and developed an original style of composition based on Armenian modes and on the polyphonic techniques of Renaissance composers. It can sound simple and clear, perhaps because it is so vocal and lacking in dissonance. “The Prayer of St. Gregory” is a hymn-like tribute to the man who brought Christianity to Armenia in the late 3rd century. Mysterious Mountain is even more mystical and transcendent but without referring to any particular religion. Aram Khachaturian, a Georgian of Armenian heritage, wrote in a secular style, drawing on the scales and inflections of his folk heritage. The Violin Concerto is notable for its infectious rhythmic drive in the outer movements and a sensuous languor in the slow movement. Masquerade Suite is lighter, more effervescent -- Offenbach filtered through Borodin.