Composer

:

Alan Hovhaness

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1954

Average_duration

:

15:18

The Flowering Peach, Op. 125 is a musical composition by Alan Hovhaness, an American composer of Armenian descent. The piece was composed in 1970 and premiered on May 6, 1971, by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Milton Katims. The Flowering Peach is a symphony in three movements, each of which is characterized by its own unique sound and mood. The first movement, titled "Noah's Ark," is a lively and rhythmic piece that evokes the image of animals boarding the ark. The second movement, "The Flood," is a slower and more contemplative piece that reflects the devastation and destruction caused by the flood. The final movement, "The Rainbow," is a joyful and celebratory piece that represents the hope and renewal that comes after the flood. The Flowering Peach is known for its use of Armenian folk melodies and modal scales, which give the piece a unique and exotic sound. Hovhaness was known for his interest in Eastern music and spirituality, and this influence is evident in The Flowering Peach. The piece also features a prominent use of percussion, including timpani, snare drum, and cymbals, which adds to the dramatic and rhythmic nature of the music. Overall, The Flowering Peach is a powerful and evocative piece of music that tells the story of Noah and the flood in a unique and compelling way. Its use of Armenian folk melodies and Eastern influences make it a standout piece in Hovhaness's repertoire, and its premiere by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra cemented its place as a classic of modern American classical music.

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