The American-Armenian composer Alan Hovhaness has appeared here before with Fra Angelico, and this time we have his "Saint Vartan" Symphony - No.9 of 67.
Hovhaness conducted the premiere with the New York Philharmonic in 1951, and the symphony commemorates the Armenian warrior-saint Vartan Mamikonian. Aside from the record sleeve notes (click on the image below) the Alan Hovhaness website has detailed information about the work and its 24 short movements (you need to scroll down the linked page to Symphony No.9). I used the descriptions of the "steps" given here in the video. As this page describes, the work is
"Laden with uncommon invention and colour (even for Hovhaness), the cumulative effect of the 'steps' is a growing emotional intensity, culminating in an almost frenzied triumphant processional. At 45 minutes, it is one of many Hovhaness large-scale works which unfold in a scroll-like improvisatory manner, rather than through organic growth from a few thematic seeds.
The recording, issued here on Unicorn, also appeared on Hovhaness' own label, Poseidon Society, which he formed to gained artistic control over his recordings.
Cartridge: Ortofon Xpression MCPhono amp: Graham Slee Accession MCTurntable: CTC Classic 301 with SME M2-12R
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