The 1930s witnessed severe persecution of Armenians in Turkey and their forced exile. In this moving work, one can hear oriental influences in the abundant melodic arcs and sense a connection to ancient civilizations in the modal tonalities. Hovhaness is also an admirer of the Greek nation and its mythology. Orpheus descends into the underworld in search of his deceased wife, and almost succeeds in the rescue attempt, but ultimately loses his own life instead. No folk, no traditional melodies are used.
All melodies are original creations of the composer.
They are evocations of his love for Japan, its extraordinary art and vitality. As in the previous two Hovhaness symphonic discs with Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony, the composer and his wife, Hinako Hovhaness, were present at the sessions, and were very helpful to the Delos production staff in preparing for the recording. The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Op. Fantasy on Japanese Woodprints, Op.