Armenian Dances (Part II)

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Armenian Dances, Part II, is a collection of three Armenian folk songs that complete Alfred Reed's four movement suite for wind band. It is dedicated to Dr. Harry Begian, and was premiered on April 4, 1976 in Urbana, Illinois by the University of Illinois Symphonic Band, Dr. Begian conducting. (A recording of the first performance of the entire suite is available on the first disc of the collection of CDs released by the University of Illinois entitled "The Begian Years.")

Armenian Dances, Part II consists of three separate pieces that the composer expanded upon from works collected by the musicologist Gomidas Vartabed (1869-1935). They are:

Hov Arek - A lyrical song in which a young man implores the mountains to send a breeze to rid him of his woes. It is a deeply moving song in which the delicate melodic line encompasses a wide range of expression. Hov Arek means "come, breeze;" however, on the score Dr. Reed put the translation as "The Peasant's Plea."

Khoomar - A female Armenian name. It was orginially arranged for soprano with mixed chorus by Gomidas Vartabed. In this energetic, light-hearted dance song, a joyous Armenian village scene is depicted in which two young people meet and marry. This song is characterized by its vital rhythmic patterns. Dr. Reed subtitled this movement as "Wedding Dance."

Lorva Horovel - The original music has a complex improvisational melody which was extensively researched by Vartabed. In its rich rhythmic and melodic structure, it reveals elements dating back to Pre-Christian times. The song is connected with the farmer and his physical and spiritual being during his work. It is the immediate result of his labor, with his pleas to the oxen and his exclamations while plowing. These expressions resound throughout the free flowing melody, rhythmic and intervallic structure of this beautiful song. It is a plow song from the district of Lori, and Dr. Reed subtitled it "Songs from Lori."

[edit] References

Program Note by Alfred Reed, from the score to Armenian Dances (Part II)
Historical Note by Dr. Violet Vagramian, Florida International University, from the score to Armenian Dances (Part II)

[edit] See also

• Armenian Dances (Part I)