Andrew Earle Simpson

Liberty (silent film or concert music)

Instrumentation	ch ens (2 ww, pno, perc)
Duration	19'
Film Date/Studio	1929, Hal Roach Studios
Director/Actors	Leo McCary, dir./Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy
Movements	N/A
Premiere (concert)	3/22/07, Catholic University, Washington, DC
Performers	The Snark Ensemble
Commissioned by	N/A
Recording	N/A
Publication	Composer
Performance History	3/07, Catholic University
mp3 samples	1. "Liberty" main title 2. Stan and Oliver chased by the cops 3. Jaunty theme 1 4. Jaunty theme 2 5. Danger on the girders! 6. Final music The Snark Ensemble (with guest artist Ben Redwine)

Film synopsis and musical notes

Liberty is my first score connected with silent film: in this case, a score inspired by the Laurel and Hardy 1929 two-reeler, which features the title characters' escape from prison, their subsequent adventures in fleeing the police, a crab which winds up in Stan's pants, their destruction of a phonograph machine and records, and the final, thrilling sequence high on the girders of a building construction site.

The score can be performed with the film, as well, and exists in two versions (3 players and 4 players).