The Four Freedoms

During World War II, Norman Rockwell painted four images that helped define our nation’s values. He was inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1941 speech to Congress. Rockwell wanted to “take the Four Freedoms out of their noble language and put them in terms everybody can understand. I’ll express the ideas in simple everyday scenes”, he said. In an effort to capture the ideas and intentions of Rockwell and Roosevelt through music, the composer carefully drew upon common songs that are deeply rooted in our American heritage so that the audience and performers can relate to their message.