Uploaded April 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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According to the composer's wife Hinako Fujihara, Alan Hovhaness had a lifelong interest in astronomy. Symphony No. 48 was composed in 1981 with perhaps an inner sense of how the giant galaxy might be described through musical expression. The four movements are:

I. Andante
II. Fugue allegro (10:07)
III. Andante - Allegro moderato (13:18)
IV. Largo solenne - Allegro maestoso - Andanted maestoso espressivo (17:24)


Performed by the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra
Conducted by Gerard Schwarz

The recording on Naxos also includes Concerto for Soprano Saxophone as well as Prelude and Quadruple Fugue:
naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.559755