Welcome to the Hovhaness Centennial Photo Gallery

~ ~  HOVHANESS'S  ARLINGTON  CHILDHOOD  ~ ~

Blossom Street Home

The Chakmakjian family (for he was born Alan Scott Chakmakjian) moved from Somerville to this house in Arlington's Blossom Street when young Alan was about 5.

It was in this house that Hovhaness began composing in earnest, usually at night, aged about 8 and apparently hid his scores behind the bathtub so they would not be found by his parents. Lateron, aged 16 he gave piano lessons to neighborhood children. The composer's father lived here permanently, until the early 1970s.

photo by Laurence McKinney

Arlington High School

Hovhaness attended Arlington Junior High West and Arlington High. It was for performances at Arlington High that Hovhaness wrote his earliest operas, one was called "Daniel" (performed here in 1925) another "Lotus Blossom". The operas' libretti were written by a schoolfriend of the composer.

photo by Laurence McKinney

Robbins Library

Young Hovhaness would have spent many an hour studying here at Arlington's Robbins Library. As well as music, he was interested in astronomy and painting.

photo by Laurence McKinney

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