Iain Farrington (b1977) was organ scholar at St John’s College, Cambridge and is among the foremost composer-performers of his generation. His
Animal Parade, which was commissioned by and dedicated to William Whitehead, was first heard in 2007, when the dedicatee performed it at St Lawrence Jewry, London. It comprises twelve movements of which Nos 2 to 11 are depictions of animals (including critics!). In
Penguins, the eighth movement, shivering sextuplets, slithering glissandi and an ‘oompah’ accompaniment brilliantly convey the animal’s curious gait.
Giraffes, the second movement, is in essence an A flat major Andante, its sinuous, wide-ranging phrases suggesting the creature’s peculiar grace.
Barrel Organ Monkey, the third movement, deftly evokes not only the tiny dancer’s jerky steps but also the engaging vulgarity of the instrument accompanying him.
from notes by Relf Clark © 2010
English