Armenian Dances is a musical piece for concert band, written by Alfred Reed (1921–2005).
The 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, the founder of Armenian classical music.Armenian Dances (Part I) was completed in the summer of 1972 and first performed by the University of Illinois Symphonic Band on January 10, 1973, at the College Band Directors National Association Convention in Urbana, Illinois.
It consists of five authentic Armenian folksongs drawn from the vast collection of Gomidas Vartabed originally arranged for solo voice with piano accompaniment or unaccompanied chorus.
Part II consists of three movements, each based upon a single Armenian folk song.
Part I is built upon five Armenian folk songs: "Tzirani Tzar" (The Apricot Tree), "Gakavi Yerk" (Partidge's Song), "Hoy, Nazan Eem" (Hoy, my Nazan), "Alagyaz" and "Gna, Gna" (Go, Go).