Composer

:

Alan Hovhaness

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1936 - 1970

Average_duration

:

19:38

Symphony No. 1, also known as the Exile Symphony, Op. 17, was composed by Alan Hovhaness in 1936. The symphony premiered on March 4, 1936, in Boston, Massachusetts, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Serge Koussevitzky. The Exile Symphony is a four-movement work that reflects Hovhaness's interest in Eastern music and his Armenian heritage. The first movement, marked "Andante espressivo," begins with a mournful melody played by the strings. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion joining in, before subsiding back into a quiet, reflective mood. The second movement, marked "Allegro con fuoco," is a lively and rhythmic scherzo. The music is characterized by driving rhythms and syncopated accents, with the brass and percussion taking center stage. The third movement, marked "Andante sostenuto," is a slow and contemplative adagio. The music is marked by long, sustained melodies played by the strings, with the woodwinds and brass providing subtle accompaniment. The final movement, marked "Allegro con brio," is a lively and energetic finale. The music is characterized by driving rhythms and syncopated accents, with the brass and percussion once again taking center stage. Overall, the Exile Symphony is a powerful and emotional work that reflects Hovhaness's interest in Eastern music and his Armenian heritage. The music is marked by long, sustained melodies, driving rhythms, and powerful brass and percussion writing. It is a testament to Hovhaness's unique voice as a composer and his ability to blend Eastern and Western musical traditions into a cohesive and powerful whole.

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