Symphony No. 16

Alan Hovhaness's Symphony No. 16 is a work for strings and Korean percussion, first performed in 1963. This symphony exemplifies Hovhaness's characteristic use of unusual instrumental combinations and his broader interest in non-European musical traditions, drawing inspiration from Armenian, Middle Eastern, and Asian music. His style is often modal and rhythmically intricate, with a lyrical expressiveness that de-emphasizes harmony. Hovhaness, an American composer of Armenian and Scottish descent, was known for his eclectic approach to composition, incorporating diverse rhythmic, melodic, and instrumental resources into his music.1