Program Notes: 
 
            Beginning in 1604, conspirators began planning an assassination attempt on King James I of England. The plot eventually was planned for November 5th, 1605 at which point 36 barrels were to be detonated underneath the House of Lords during the State Opening of England’s Parliament. However, around midnight on November 4th, the plot was discovered and one for the conspirators, Guy Fawkes, was found guarding the barrels of gunpowder. That same anger can be traced to so many of the horrific acts of violence that saturate our society today. If left unattended, these feelings of hatred can slowly grow and fester.
            The piece begins with large bangs that represent the initial anger. This anger then emerges in a three-note motive used throughout the rest of the piece.  The motive slowly builds and conspires its way to the climax before dying away.