Why can’t my cat be as well-behaved as Rajah Mahatma Hoyden? Rajah was the favorite cat of composer Alan Hovhaness.

Hovhaness dedicated his work “Sosi: Forest of Prophetic Sounds” to Rajah. No telling how his little friend would have reacted to this piece for violin, piano, horn, timpani, giant tam-tam and strings. Many cats aren’t too fond of the violin, but I would think the giant tam-tam would have sealed it. However, Rajah seemed to be of a particularly placid disposition.

Long after Rajah’s death, Hovhaness’ correspondence alluded to ongoing spiritual visitations from his little companion, and he continued to leave milk out for him overnight.

Happy birthday, Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000). God bless your beautiful music and your beautiful heart.