Symphony No. 29 (Hovhaness)

From Wind Repertory Project
Alan Hovhaness

Alan Hovhaness


Subtitle: For Baritone Horn (or Trombone) and Band


This work bears the designation Opus 289.


General Info

Year: 1976
Duration: c. 24:45
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Origial Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Alan Hovhaness
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - Unknown


Movements

1. Andante religioso – 9:35
2. Adagio espressivo – 2:05
3. Lento - Allegro moderato - Presto – 4:35
4. Finale: Maestoso – 8:30


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Baritone or Trombone
C Piccolo
Flutes
Oboes
English Horn
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Chimes (large)
  • Glockenspiel
  • Tam-tam (giant)
  • Vibraphone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Symphony No. 29 was commissioned by Henry Charles Smith and the C.G. Conn Corporation and premiered in 1976 by the Minnesota Orchestra. Hovhaness created the band version himself, with the premiere performance at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the National Music Camp. Henry Charles Smith was the baritone soloist for the premiere of both editions.

The symphony is in four movements in which the mood is predominantly slow and prayer-like led by the bard-like “elder” of the trombone with the rest of the band attentive in their dedication and spirituality. There are flurries of birdsong in the third movement, and in the finale the affecting role for the contented trombone seems on the edge of quoting some Caledonian song. The symphony gives the fullest account of the composer’s mildly atmospheric harmonies and melodically fluid style, a mixture of late Romantic tone-painting, Western hymnody, and Eastern mysticism that runs throughout the work in a somber ecumenical procession.

- Program Note by San Diego State University Wind Symphony concert program, 13 March 2014


Commercial Discography


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Md.) Peabody Wind Ensemble (Harland D. Parker, conductor; Nathan Siler, trombone) – 26 January 2019
  • San Diego State University Wind Symphony (Shannon Kitelinger, conductor; Eric Starr, trombone) – 13 March 2014 CBDNA Western/Northwestern Division Convention (Reno, Nev.)


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources