Prelude and Quadruple Fugue, Op. 128

• Prelude and Quadruple Fugue for orchestra was written in 1936 and revised in 1954.¹
• Before writing this piece, Hovhaness had been challenged by composer Roy Harris to write a double fugue (a challenge that Hovhaness took two steps further…).
• When asked about his interest in counterpoint, the composer noted the following:

“Fugue form I use strictly… I like to develop these principles because I feel they are universal. I have always been a great admirer of Bach and Handel.”

• In the original 1936 manuscript, Hovhaness scored the piece just for strings. The 1954 revision included reworking music for full orchestra.
• Prelude and Quadruple Fugue is dedicated to Howard Hanson and the Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra.²

1. Arnold Rosner and Vance Wolverton, “Hovhaness [Hovaness], Alan,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed November 10, 2022,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000013420.
2. Neil Stannard, Essay in accompanying booklet, Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountain; And God Created Great Whales performed by the Seattle Symphony conducted by Gerard Schwarz, Delos 3157, 1994, compact disc.