Hovhaness, << HOHV uh nehs, >> Alan (1911-2000), was an American composer known for works that reflect his Armenian ancestry and his interest in Asian music. Hovhaness composed several hundred works, most of them instrumental and lasting less than 20 minutes. His instrumental music includes more than 60 symphonies as well as concertos and chamber music. He also wrote operas and music for solo instruments and voices.
Hovhaness incorporated traditional Armenian songs and dance music in Armenian Rhapsody No. 1 (1944) and other compositions. His interest in the music of India appears in Varuna (1973), a string trio; and Shambala (1967), a concerto for violin, sitar, and orchestra. The influence of Japanese music can be heard in Fantasy on Japanese Woodprints (1965) for xylophone and orchestra. He used taped sounds of the humpback whale in And God Created Great Whales (1970) for orchestra. Hovhaness was born on March 8, 1911, in Somerville, Massachusetts. He died on June 21, 2000.
