PROGRAM NOTE

Animal Farm is inspired by George Orwell’s book of the same name. Orwell’s story is a compelling tale of an evolution of revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible. The work is in three movements and based on a rhythmic pattern that is taken from a slogan chanted by the animals, “Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad” (Two eighths and a quarter repeated). This slogan is the title of the first movement and is a slow and brooding march. The second movement, Sugar-candy Mountain is a place where animals of the farm believe they will go to after death, an animal heaven—but only through hard work can any animal be admitted. The final movement, Revolution! is an unleashing struggle against the tyranny of man, however the animals revolution is corrupt and as one tyrannical regime comes to end another more terrible power takes its place.

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

April 14, 2013: Michigan Pops Orchestra, Elim Chan (Conductor), Ann Arbor, MI; III. Revolution!

April 15, 2012: Hawaii Youth Symphony, Henry Miyamura (Conductor), Honolulu, HI

April 10, 2022: Fort Dodge Area Symphony, Joshua Barlage, conductor