biography
| name: |
Hovhaness, Alan
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| |
originally Chakmajian
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1911–2000)
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| biography:
| Composer, born in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA. Of Scottish and Armenian descent, he showed an early interest in composing and in mysticism. He studied at the New England Conservatory in the 1920s and added an awareness of the music of India to that of his Armenian heritage. Later he spent time in Asia and added yet another strand to his own often exotic compositions. Legendarily prolific, usually working with commissions or grants, he went through several periods or styles, but most of his work has a religious element and is mellifluous if distinctive. |
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