Hovhaness Symphony 29

[uieuph]

This piece was recommended to me by a violist today at work. As the story goes, Henry Charles Smith premiered it with the Minnesota Orchestra. It was written for euphonium and symphony orchestra. Robert King Publishing only has it in its original version, but, apparently, there are arrangements floating of it for euphonium with concert band/piano. Does anyone know where this can be found with the piano reduction?

[Dolffy]

Most of the solo piano versions were published in order to make $$$ but the piece was intended for piano and small chamber orchestra.Almost all of the early Romantic piano concertos by the "Kleinmeisters" were published for solo piano so that people could play them at home or in the salons.

[davewerden]

It used to be published for piano, but I'm not sure if it still is. The publisher is Alexander Broude.

It's a very powerful piece. Not a good choice if you want to show off dazzling technique, but great for showing the more moody side of the euphonium. I heard Henry Charles perform it live once with piano, and it was a terrific experience.

[davewerden]

Here is a post I intended to leave up only a short time last Christmas, but I forgot to remove it! It has a recording of Smith performing Symphony 29. I'll leave it up for a few days to give you a chance to hear it.

Symphony 29

[fsung]

Symphony 29 for Euphonium and Orchestra, Op. 289 was commissioned by Henry Charles Smith and premiered on May 5, 1977, so one would be extremely hard pressed to justify characterizing it as a "Romantic" work. Also, the piece is scored 3222, 5331, timp, perc(4), harp, and strings: so it is hardly intended for a small chamber orchestra or for playing in a home or salon.

The Jan-Feb 1978 issue of Euphonia lists Alexander Broude, Inc as the publisher of the euphonium/piano reduction, however, the Guide to the Euphonium Repertoire: euphonium source book lists the Mount Tacoma Music Publishers as the publishers.

If the piano reduction is not available through Broude or Mount Tacoma, the copyright holder may be able to assist you in locating a copy.Hovhannes' copyrights are owned by his estated and administered by his widow, Hinako. She may be contacted at:Fujihara Music Co. Inc.
18206 51st Avenue So.
Seattle, WA 98188-4640 USAHOVHANESSFUJI [AT] AOL.COM

[davewerden]

Thanks for the update, Felix. My face is a bit red, because my very own copy of Symphony 29 was indeed published by Mount Tacoma! I'll have to correct that in my Euphonium Music Guide.

[uieuph]

Thanks for all of your help with this. I will update you with my search. Also, thanks, Dave, for posting the recording.

[uieuph]

I just received an e-mail back from the widow of Mr. Hovhannes. She said that she had been swamped with requests since the centennial of his birth is coming next year and has been busy fulfilling these which delayed her response.

Apparently Alexander Broude went bankrupt and all the music was lost. Mrs. Hovhannes has a few copies of the piece left, but, because of the limited availability, makes them available by request through scans of which I'm happily going to purchase.

[davewerden]

UIEuph,

If she seems willing (which assumes she is getting no real income from distributing these scans), could you ask if she would like me to make the low-brass-related pieces available here as PDF downloads? I'm happy to offer the storage, and I intend to keep such resources widely available for a very long time. Thanks.

[uieuph]

I'll definitely do that.