Arlington Advocate
May 3 2009
New England triptych to honor Alan Hovhaness
Sun May 03, 2009, 06:30 AM EDT
Arlington, Mass. – New England is set to celebrate and to initiate the
100th anniversary of Armenian American composer, Alan Hovhaness.
Memorial events will include the unveiling and dedication of the first
monument to the composer in Arlington, Hovhaness’ hometown, a free
memorial concert at the Arlington Town Hall and a long distance road
running event called "All Men are Brothers."
The run will begin at New Hampshire at Mount Monadnock in New
Hampshire and end at Hovhaness’ boyhood home on Blossom Street.
Pianist Martin Berkofsky who, during his formative years, greatly
benefited from his personal contact and communication with Alan
Hovhaness and is now a recognized champion and interpreter of
Hovhaness’ music, will begin his pilgrimage by climbing Mount
Monadnock, New Hampshire’s 3,125-foot peak.
Hovhaness regarded mountains as meeting places between man and God and
wrote many works, including a symphonic movement "Monadnock," named
after mountains.
The title of the pilgrimage, "All Men are Brothers," is taken from
Hovhaness’ 11th Symphony of that name. Hovhaness wrote, "Let all unite
in peace on our tiny planet."
Berkofsky’s pilgrimage to Mount Monadnock will begin Saturday, May 2
(Sunday, May 3, in the event of rain), and will continue at
approximately 10 miles a day, crossing the New Hampshire border into
Massachusetts along highways 124, 119, 225.
The final miles in Massachusetts will be run on the Minuteman Bike
Path from Bedford through Lexington, and to the Hovhaness family home
at 5 Blossom Street. Arrival at Blossom Street is planned for 4
p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 (Thursday, May 14 in case of rain on May
13.)
At the arrival, Father Arakel Aljalian of St. James Armenian Church in
Watertown, where Hovhaness played the organ for many years, will
speak. A duduk player will perform music of Hovhaness.
The second event of this memorial triptych will take place on Sunday,
May 17 at 2 p.m. when the Alan Hovhaness Memorial will be unveiled and
dedicated at the Jefferson Cutter House.
The conclusion of this Hovhaness triptych will take place at Town Hall
at 3 p.m. in a free, open to public concert directed by Dr. Pasquale
Tassone. Featured performers will include pianists Martin Berkofsky
and Ani Hovsepian. Both Arlington High School ensembles will perform
pieces by Hovhaness as well as other short selections including the
world premiere of "Dzon.’a piece dedicated to Hovhaness entitled `
Berkofsky will be broadcasting from the Alan Hovhaness Special Event
Station, W1H. Inspired by Hovhaness’ love of astronomy, station W1H
will be directing experimental signals to the moon, to be reflected
back to distant points on the earth.
For more information about joining the "All Men are Brothers"
pilgrimage, please contact Berkofsky at 540-788-3356 or
[email protected].
For further information on the dedication of the memorial or the
concert, please contact the Armenian Cultural Foundation at
781-646-3090 or [email protected].
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