THE DREAM OF WILLY FREEMAN


Willy is a restless 12-year old orphan clinging to his home town of Glissmouth. Every day, from the small dock which ends in the old lighthouse, he stares at the faraway horizon, which he cannot quite make out, and imagines a new world beyond the sunrise.

One day, feeling weary and sad, but hopeful, he stows away on a merchant ship bound for America to seek a better life. And in the solitude of the sea, he will remember what he has left behind, his small romance, his only love which, although it was just a children's game, will cast a shadow over his departure. Nevertheless he will continue onwards until he reaches his goal, a dream... the dream of Willy Freeman.

This is a descriptive work in three movements:

The first, "Departure from Glissmouth", tells the unforeseen events that lead Willy to stow away and travel far from his home town to try and make his dream come true.

"Remembering his love", the second movement, is a simple theme which fills him with melancholy and longing as he leaves his love behind. This melody contrasts with the second theme, a theme of anxiety and inner turmoil which embitters Willy because he has left his home.

The third movement is "Ellis Island. A new life". On arrival at Ellis Island, a new land, Willy begins to believe that everything is going to change, that a period of opportunity, luck and hope await him. His dream is going to come true, far, far away from his homeland.