Katy Abbott, composer

Repertoire information

The Peasant Prince

A symphonic tale for narrator and orchestra, with optional choreography. 30 minutes, 2009.

Schools programFamily seriesMain stageBallet co-production

‘In the end, simplicity was best. Abbott’s score was all that was needed to enhance the story. Her music was luminous, tuneful and variegated in colour, and depicted the words’ imagery and feelings with wonderful clarity.’

Graham Strahle, The Australian
Two settings

This work is often performed in orchestral school programs during the week, followed by a family or general concert on a weekend.

The Peasant Prince, a symphonic tale, album cover. Li Cunxin with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Benjamin Northey, ABC Classics
Penguin Book

Words and music tell the story of Li Cunxin’s childhood in Shandong and the journey that made him one of the world’s greatest ballet dancers. Drawn from his best-selling memoir Mao’s Last Dancer, the score sets the text of the children’s book The Peasant Prince by Li Cunxin, illustrated by Anne Spudvilas, published by Viking, Penguin Books Australia, and as Dancing to Freedom in North America.

The score

Expertly woven themes embedded into the score. The work illuminates the powerful narrative arc of the story. Abbott, a master storyteller and educator herself, has designed the score to work with the narrator and illuminate the brilliance of this story for both young and older audiences.

•Four main themes, varied and crafted throughout
•Focus on narrative through idiomatic writing and colour
•‘Where’s Wally’ style thematic listening
•Grounded in Katy’s compositional and educational philosophies
•Educational and captivating score
The Peasant Prince in performance with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, illustrations from the book projected above the orchestra
In performance

Illustrations from the book, timed to the score, with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

Illustration and photo: Anne Spudvilas.

The Peasant Prince, Katy Abbott
Instrumentation, resources, recording and performance history
Instrumentation
Flute (1), Oboe (1), Clarinet in B flat (1), Bassoon (1)
Horn in F (2), Trumpet in B flat (1), Trombone (1), Tuba (1)
Timpani + 2 percussion
Harp
Narrator
Strings (10.8.6.4.2)
Choreography (optional)
Commission

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Australia Services, for the ASO education arm.

Four musical themes
The Kite Theme
The Hope Theme
The Frog in a Well Theme
The Cold / Lonely Theme

Listen to the main themes ›

Resources for concerts and classroom

Primary classroom teacher resources. From MSO Schools (James Le Fevre) and the Australian Music Centre (Dr Joanna Drimatis).
Synchronised visual projections. Illustrations from the book with animation, can be timed to the score, for halls with a projector screen. With permission from the illustrator.
Composer engagement. Katy is available to host, speak to schools, or take part in pre-concert talks.
Audio resources. Excerpts of the main themes are available. Listen on SoundCloud ›

ABC Classics recording

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Benjamin Northey. Li Cunxin narrates his own story, recorded in English and in Mandarin. Available on all digital platforms in either language. ABC Classics.

Hear the full recording ›

Programming ideas

The score runs 30 minutes and readily becomes a 45 to 50 minute program. In previous performances, Katy has co-hosted the conductor on stage to open the work up for the audience, drawing out the four themes and how the orchestra tells the story. Enquire about programming ideas with or without Katy.

Listen to main themes›Inspiring Young Minds article›More info›Buy the score›Hire and perusal enquiry›Resources

Previous performances (select)

Schools concerts, family series and main stage performances across Australia, Canada and the United States.

Australia
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra / Benjamin NortheyMay 2009. Five sold-out performances, including two general public concerts. Premiere.
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra / Benjamin NortheyJune 2014. Three performances, two schools concerts and a sold-out Family Classics evening.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra / Ingrid MartinMay and June 2024. MSO Schools and Classic Kids, Hamer Hall.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra with Queensland Ballet / Brett KellyMarch 2020. Six performances.
Canada and the United States
Vancouver Symphony OrchestraNovember 2025. Kids Concerts at the Orpheum.
Seattle Symphony Orchestra / Sunny XiaApril 2023.
Fort Wayne PhilharmonicJanuary 2024.
Plano Symphony Orchestra with Texas Ballet Theater2026. Twelve performances.
Dr Katy Abbott, composer
Melbourne, Australia. contact@katyabbott.com, katyabbott.com

Full work page
katyabbott.com/portfolio-items/featured-the-peasant-prince