In April of 1982, esteemed American composer Alan Hovhaness visited Interlochen Arts Academy.
During his residency, Hovhaness worked with Academy students and faculty on his music.
His visit culminated with two concerts featuring his music for choir, band and orchestra.
The Interlochen students gave the world premiere of the composer's Symphony no. 40, the score of which had been stolen and Hovhaness had to reconstruct from memory.
As he explained during the concert, he didn't recall if this new Symphony no. 40 had much in common with the version that had been stolen.
"I didn't have any sketches left, because for some reason I had decided to throw out my sketches once the symphony was in its final form," Hovhaness told the students. "I don't remember now if whether there were any themes or anything with any connection with the other [lost] one."
Episode details
All music composed by Alan Hovhaness
All performances are from April 1982 at Interlochen Arts Academy
Arts Academy Choir, "Unto thee I will cry" and "From the end of the earth"
Arts Academy Orchestra and faculty, Symphony no. 40 (world premiere)
Arts Academy Orchestra, Quadruple Fugue
Arts Academy Band, Three Journeys to a Holy Mountain
The archival recordings heard on this program are available thanks in part to the Association for Recorded Sound Collections' Classical Music Preservation Grant, support from our listeners and the Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation.
Eileen Ganter provided additional support.
