In 1941 Khatchaturian composed a ballet soon to be known throughout the world - Gayaneh. In this piece the composer describes the landscape of his native country Armenia and the people who tried to build the country to create a happy life there. Evil powers however try to destroy the peaceful work. Gayaneh is a young ordinary woman who cares greatly for her village. In addition to the fight for the village she also fights for her own happiness. Khatchaturian was a master at using elements of folk music in his compositions and these can be clearly heard in this arrangement for concert band by Wil van der Beek.
