The Holy City Op. 218 Cover Image

The Holy City Op. 218: Full Score

$39.95 USD
$39.95 USD
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The Holy City Op. 218 Cover Image
The Holy City Op. 218: Full Score

The Holy City Op. 218: Full Score

for Trumpet Solo, Large Chime in A, Harp and String Orchestra

By Alan Hovhaness

Item: 98-EP66183
$39.95
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Additional Details
Series: Edition Peters
Publisher: Edition Peters
Page Count: 32
ISBN10: 0-30-071848-9
ISBN13: 979-0-30-071848-4
SKU: 98-EP66183

More about this title

About the Composer: Alan Hovhaness

Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) was an American composer of Armenian descent whose prolific output spanned seven decades and encompassed over 500 works. His music draws deeply from Armenian folk traditions, Eastern modal systems, and his study of non-Western musical cultures, creating a distinctive harmonic language that bridges East and West. Hovhaness's orchestral writing emphasizes texture, sustained sonorities, and emotional directness, making his works accessible to student ensembles while maintaining artistic substance.

Throughout his career, Hovhaness composed extensively for strings, recognizing the voice's capacity for both lyrical expression and structural clarity. His works have become staples in orchestra programs because they challenge young musicians musically without requiring virtuosic technical display.

Why we love this

Hovhaness crafted string writing that feels naturally vocal and singing without asking for technical pyrotechnics. The work sits comfortably under young players' fingers while delivering genuine musical substance and the kind of sustained, meditative quality that develops ensemble cohesion and releases audiences into focused listening.

What to expect

The Holy City unfolds with quiet reverence, exploring warm harmonic colors and modal melodies that suggest sacred space. Hovhaness's string textures create an atmosphere of introspection, drawing the listener inward through sustained chords and gentle contrapuntal movement rather than dramatic gestures.

Who it's for

This full score is essential for string orchestra directors planning a concert program that calls for something contemplative and spiritually grounded. Players from intermediate to advanced ensembles will find music that deepens their understanding of phrasing, blend, and the expressive potential of sustained string tone.

How to get the most out of it

  • Attend to the harmonic resonance rather than rhythmic precision. Hovhaness's music breathes through sustained tones and modal shifts, so prioritize blend and intonation over metronomic accuracy.
  • Shape longer phrases by the arch of the melodic line rather than by dynamic markings alone. The contour itself will guide your rubato naturally.
  • Balance the inner voices carefully. Hovhaness often distributes thematic material across multiple string parts, so even the viola and cello accompaniments need clarity and presence.
  • Allow space between sections to settle into silence. This work's meditative character gains power through these moments of quiet.

How to use it

This work serves well as a centerpiece for a concert devoted to spiritual or contemplative themes, or as a balancing force alongside more energetic repertoire. Its modest orchestration and emotional restraint make it ideal for a opening number that establishes an intimate tone before shifting to livelier material.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining pure intonation across full measures and phrases
  • Blending into ensemble sonority rather than projecting individual voice
  • Reading modal harmonic language and non-traditional chord progressions
  • Shaping long melodic lines with sensitive phrasing rather than surface dynamics
  • Listening to inner voices and maintaining textural clarity in contrapuntal writing

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