Armenian Dances (Part 2) - BAR0121943 | Music

"Armenian Dances", Parts I and II, constitute a four-movement suite for concert band or wind ensemble based on authentic Armenian folk songs from the collected works of Gomidas Vartabed (1869-1935), the founder of Armenian classical music. Part II, containing the second, third and fourth movement of this suite, is built upon three Armenian folk songs, freely treated and developed in terms of the modern integrated concert band or wind ensemble. While the composer has kept his treatment of the melodies within the general limits imposed on the music by its very nature, he has not hesitated to expand the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic possibilities in keeping with the demands of a symphonic-instrumental, as opposed to an individual vocal or choral approach to is performance. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the overall effect of the music will be found to remain true in spirit to the work of this brilliant composer-musicologist, who almost single-handedly preserved and gave to the world a treasure trove of beautiful folk music that to this day has not yet beome as widely known in the Western world as it so richly deserves. It is hoped that this new instrumental setting will prove to be at least a small step in this direction.

The three movements comprising Part II of the "Armenian dances" are built upon three armenian folk songs which were first notated, purified, researched and later arranged by Gomidas Vartabed for solo voice with piano accompaniment, or unaccompanied chorus. In order of their appearence they are: "Hov arek" (Come, Breeze), "Khoomar" (female Armenian name) and Lorva Horovel" (Plow song from the disctrict of Lori).
"Hov Arek" is 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.
"Kooshmar" was arranged as a soprano solo with mixed chorus by Gomidas. 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.
"Lorva Horovel" has a complex improvisational melody which was extensively researched by Gomidas. 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 exclamation while plowing. These expressions resound throughout the free flowing melody, rhythmic and intervallic structure of this beautiful song.