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Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) Speaking of Music: Alan Hovhaness (October 3, 1989), Part 1 Speaking of Music: Alan Hovhaness (October 3, 1989), Part 2 Charles Amirkhanian interviews composer Alan Hovhaness for the San Francisco Exploratorium’s Speaking of Music series, recorded on October 3, 1989. The Armenian-American composer discusses the roots of his musical expression and demonstrates various techniques on the piano. His music is performed by New York pianist Şahan Arzruni, who brings unexcelled vigor to Hovhaness’ early keyboard works and who himself poses some pertinent questions and introduces his evaluation and analysis. Arzruni is later joined by percussionist William Winant in a stirring rendition of selected movements from the rarely performed “Invocations to Vahaken”.