The Peasant Prince

Narrator + Orchestra. 30 minutes. (2009)

Commissioned: Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Symphony Australia Services

This work narrates with words and music, the inspiring story of Li Cunxin's childhood and follows his subsequent journey to become one of the world's greatest ballet dancers. The Peasant Prince is based on his best selling memoir Mao's Last Dancer and uses the text from the book The Peasant Prince.

There are four primary musical themes in the work that are based around a kite (freedom), a frog trapped in a well (the drive to be free), hope and family love/bonds.

Instrumentation

Flute (1) / Oboe (1) / Clarinet in Bb (1), Bassoon (1)

Horn in F (2) / Trumpet in Bb (1) / Trombone (1), Tuba (1)

Timpani + 2 percussion

Harp

Narrator

Strings (10.8.6.4.2)

Choreography (optional)

Available through this site Shop.

Resources:

A Primary Classroom Teacher Resource also available from the AMC (created by Dr Joanna Drimatis: Conductor + Education Coordinator AMC)

A Primary Classroom Teacher Resource by MSO Schools (created by James Le Fevre, Head of VCASS)

Article: Inspiring Young Minds by Kim Thomson – based on an interview with MSO Composer-In-Residence Katy Abbott

Listen in full on Spotify

Excerpts of the main themes on SoundCloud

Purchase CD recording by The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Features narration by Li Cunxin in two versions – English and Mandarin.

Digital download available on iTunes in either English or Mandarin.

Performances

Premiere: Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Benjamin Northey
May 2009. Five sold-out performances incl. 2 GP performances

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra / Benjamin Northey
June 2014. 2 x schools concerts + 1 sold-out evening Family Classics concert.

Melbourne Recital Centre Orchestra / Brett Kelly
January 2015. MusicPlay Festival, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, MRC

Beecroft Symphony Orchestra / Joanna Drimatis
March 2019.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra with Queensland Ballet/Brett Kelly
March 2020. 6 x performances (4 schools and 2 GP audiences)
Cancelled due to COVID-19.

Seattle Symphony Orchestra/Sunny Xia (USA)
April 2023.

Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. May 2024

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Ingrid Martin. MSO Schools + CLASSIC Kids: Hosted by Katy Abbott + Ingrid Martin Hamer Hall. May – June 2024

Upcoming Performances:

Nov 2, 2025 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra/Ingrid Martin. Kids Concerts at Orpheum.