THE STORY BEHIND: Hovhaness's Symphony No.2 (Mysterious Mountain)

Title: Symphony No.2, op.132 (Mysterious Mountain)

Composer: Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000)
Last time performed by the Rhode Island Philharmonic: Last performed December 18, 1972 with Francis Madeira conducting. This piece is scored for three flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, five horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, harp, celesta and strings.

The Story: “Mysterious Mountain” is probably Alan Hovhaness’ most popular and often-performed orchestral work. Commissioned by Leopold Stokowski for his first concert as music director of the Houston Symphony Orchestra in 1955, the premiere was televised nationwide (a rare feat in those days). A subsequent recording by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Fritz Reiner, remained popular among classical music lovers for the next 50 years. In each of its three movements, one can hear something of the celestial here, which is only fitting for a work whose subject points boldly to the heavens. The first, Andante con moto, features hymnlike chorales, ornamented by an impish celesta. The second movement, Double fugue: Moderato maestoso; allegro vivo, starts with the suggestion of a Renaissance motet, followed by an agitated melody in the strings, and ends with an impressive counterpoint that combines the two. The third movement, Andante espressivo, builds and recedes like a slow wave until the strings and winds in turn each proclaim their own hymns to the heavens, eventually leading to an ethereal conclusion.

Program Notes by Jamie Allen © 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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