The Minpins

Music by Jean Sibelius
Arranged by Peter Ash
Text adapted by Donald Sturrock

The Minpins is an adaptation of Roald Dahl's last story, which was published after his death. A small boy is drawn into a frightening forest, where he encounters many dangers and surprises as well as a world of tiny people, the Minpins, who live in safety, high up in the trees. Through a combination of skill and heroism, and a flight on the back of a great white swan, the boy defeats a terrifying monster, before bidding a sad and poignant farewell to his new friends.

The story, combined with elements from the Finnish epic legend, the Kalevala, is narrated over a score taken from the orchestral music of Sibelius. Created with the enthusiastic support of the Sibelius Estate in Helsinki, The Minpins received a rapturous reception at its English and Russian language premieres in St. Petersburg in 1996. It was described in the St. Petersburg Evening Gazette as " a remarkable synthesis of words and music.... brilliant, touching, alive with humour, courage and tenderness."

Performance History

1996: World Premiere - St. Petersburg, Russia
(Camerata St. Petersburg / Ash)
2001: Heidelberg, Adelaide
Toulouse, Biarritz, Montelimar, London (LSSO / Ash)
2007: US Premiere (TBC) 25 November
Interlochen Arts Academy Orch / Ash (Michigan,
USA)

For narrator/s and symphony orchestra

85 minutes
Published by Music Link International

Orchestrations

1 narrator. 1 solo violin (boy). Boys' choir (optional) 3 (3rd picc). 2 cor. 2 (2nd E flat) bass. 2 contra/ 4.3.3.1/ timp. perc (4). / 2 harps(2nd opt.) harmonium (chamber org.)/ strings.

Translations

Russian
German

Educational Support

Not yet available

Recordings

Robbie Coltrane / LSSO / Ash