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Armenian Influence on the Music of Alan Hovhaness
Şahan Arzruni
Şahan Arzruni reflects upon the Armenian influences on the unique compositions of Alan Hovhaness.
Armenian Influence on the Music of Alan Hovhaness
The pianist Sahan Arzruni reflects upon the Armenian influences on the unique musical compositions of the late composer Alan Hovhaness. Born Alan Vaness Chakmakjian, Hovhaness, was inspired by Armenian liturgical music and by the music of Komitas early on in his life. Like Komitas, Hovhaness studied music from the folk traditions of different cultures and incorporated them into his own special style of fusion music. In the 1940s he was introduced to Armenian folk songs through Yenovk Der Hagopian, a development which inspired the Armenian period of the prolific composer’s musical career.