Alan Contreras

The Magnificat is one of Hovhaness's most distinctive works and is less dependent on recycling older Armenian themes as are some of his later works. It contains a lovely alto solo and concludes with a straighforward but nonetheless gorgeous Gloria. The St. Johns version is better than the other CD version I have heard, though the engineering is not always perfect: the Fecit Potentiam solo mentioned above is not loud enough. A number of enjoyable shorter choral works are included on the CD, which makes it a showcase of the composer's writing for voice.