Alan Hovhaness was inspired by the mountainous terrain in Armenia, Switzerland and around Seattle. His longing for the East is apparent from this rarely played pianomusic Visionary Landscapes. Performed by pianist Maarten van Veen.

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Maarten van Veen
Pianist and conductor Maarten van Veen studied at the conservatories of Utrecht, Prague and Amsterdam. He was a winner, along with his brother Jeroen van Veen, of the Dranoff International 2 Piano Competition in 1995. He was early to specialize himself in the performance of contemporary music besides the classical repertoire. In 1998 he worked with Robert Craft on Stravinsky’s piano repertoire, and recorded” Les Noces” with the latter in the Abbey studios, London. The New York Times stated this recording as “the best recording ever.” Maarten has performed all over Europe and played with different orchestras and conductors, like Peter Eotvos, Howard Williams, Arie van Beek, Neal Stulberg and Robert Craft. He founded the International Piano Quartet (4 pianos) and played many concerts in the U.S.A. and Canada. Van Veen is artistic director of the the Hortus Festival and the Murray Dranoff Foundation in Florida and CEO of the DoelenEnsemble. He is noted for the originality of his programming, critics have praised the intensity of interpretation as well the emotional impact he brings to the audience.