MUSIC GIANT TO BE HONORED IN ARLINGTON
Arlington Advocate
entertainment/arts/x529240164/Music-giant-to-be-ho nored-in-Arlington
May 15 2009
MA
As the centennial date (2011) of the world renowned composer Alan
Hovhaness approaches, Arlington will honor its most illustrious,
artistic son by declaring May 17 "Alan Hovhaness Day." On that day at
2 p.m., the Alan Hovhaness Commemorative Committee will acknowledge
his outstanding contribution to the world of music by unveiling a
monument in his honor on the grounds of the Jefferson Cutter House
in Arlington Center. Attending the event will be officials of the
town and other dignitaries.
The dedication of the monument will constitute the central feature
of several memorial events, which were launched on October 5, 2008,
with a concert held at the Armenian Cultural Foundation.
After the dedication of the Hovhaness monument on Sunday, May 17,
a free, open-to-the-public concert will be given in the auditorium
of the Arlington Town Hall at 3 p.m. The concert "In Tribute to Alan
Hovhaness" will be directed by Dr. Pasquale Tassone, former director
of Performing Arts in the Arlington Public Schools.
Featured performers will include pianist Martin Berkofsky, renowned
and dynamic pianist, known primarily for his interpretations of music
by Hovhaness and Franz Liszt, and pianist Ani Hovsepian. The program
will include the world premiere of Tassone’s composition Dzon for solo
marimba, string orchestra, and percussion featuring Sivlie Zakarian
on marimba as well as music of other composers. Participating in
the concert will be the Honors Orchestra and Madrigal Singers of the
Arlington High School.
Hovhaness attended the Cutter Elementary School, the Junior High
West (now Ottoson Middle School), and graduated from Arlington High
School in the class of 1929. While still a student in high school,
he composed two operettas, as well as several other pieces. (Hovhaness
went on to write an amazing 67 symphonies and 434 other compositions.)
The recipient of Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships, a faculty
member of the Boston Conservatory of Music, the creator of artistic
works for playwright Clifford Odets and dancer Martha Graham,
Hovhaness’s prolific compositions became a staple of the American
music repertoire. He later became a full professor at the Eastman
School of Music in Rochester, New York, where a chair was established
in his honor.
The Alan Hovhaness Commemorative Committee is an ad hoc committee
established by a group of musical enthusiasts to commemorate and
celebrate the life and legacy of a great composer and humanist. To
defray the cost of the above projects, the committee welcomes public
financial contributions to bring the above projects to a successful
conclusion.
For further information on the dedication of the memorial or
the concert, please contact the Armenian Cultural Foundation at
781-646-3090.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
