67FC0361-7392-4A41-AA7F-50D06B58229A

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ID67FC0361-7392-4A41-AA7F-50D06B58229A
TitlecodeR01570
Title NameStruwwelpeter for High Voice and Chamber Ensemble
Marketing CopyStruwwelpeter is a cycle of little songs and stories about naughty children and the consequences of their rambunctious behaviors. These old-fashioned poems were written in the 1850s by Heinrich Hoffmann as Christmas gifts for his children and many young nieces and nephews. Schelle dedicated the songs to his parents for their 50th Anniversary, concluding his program notes for the premiere with a wry explanation for the inspiration behind the piece: "(my parents) often read these poems to me in my childhood and, in doing so, may have helped to keep me from being one of the rapscallions included in any new, revised, updated collection...maybe." Poem titles: I. Slovenly Peter, II. The Story of Flying Robert, III. Cry Baby, IV. Fat Augustus Who Wouldn't Eat Any Soup, V. The Inky Boys, VI. Cruel Frederick, VII. Little Conrad Suck-a-Thumb. Versions for voice and piano and voice and chamber ensemble are available from the publisher.
InstrumentationHigh Voice, Flute , Bb Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Bass Trombone, 2 Percussion, Piano, Violin, ContrarBass
CommissionCommissioned by the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional funding from the Indiana Arts Commission
DedicationComposed for Steven Stolen, Tenor
Program NotesComposed in 1991 on commission from the Indianapolis Museum of Art (with additional funding from the National Endowment for the Arts), The Misadventures of Struwwelpeter is a cycle of little songs and stories about naughty children and the consequences of their rambunctious behaviors.

These old-fashioned, "Children, learn your lesson well" poems were written in the 1850s by Heinrich Hoffmann, M.D. as Christmas gifts for his children and many young nieces and nephews. I have selected only a few for this cycle, but other 'characters' in the original collection (which may lead to a 'sequel' cycle in the future!) included such fascinatingly mischievious prospects as: Fidgety Phillip, Frank the Liar, Lazy Charlotte, Envious Minnie, Too Proud Phoebe Ann, Idle Fritz, Mary the Glutton, Romping Polly, Jimmy Sliderlegs, Ned the Toybreaker, Tom the Thief, Discontented Lucy and the Tragic Story of Mammy Katchem and her Kittens.

This song cycle happens to be the third in a series of recent youth-oriented works. Palindrome was commissioned (and premiered last month) by the University of Indianapolis Youth String Or chestra, and Rapscallion! commisssioned and premeiered this season by the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, is dedicated to my rambunctious (yet lovable) 6-year-old son, Paddy. The Misadventures of Struwwelpeter is dedicated to my mother and father (honoring their 50th wedding anniversary) who often read these poems to me in my childhood and, in doing so, may have helped to keep me from being one of the rapscallions included in any new, revised, updated collection...maybe... --Michael Schelle (from World Premiere program, 27 April 1991)

This chamber orchestration was commissioned by the Manhattan Contemporary Chamber Ensemble (2005) and Butler University Wind Ensemble (2012), both of which featured Steven Stolen as the soloist.
Title Brand2
Year Composed1991/2013
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration25
Ensemble Size10
Date Created2018-03-30 20:31:41.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:31:41
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text AuthorPoems by Heinrich Hoffmann
Premier Performance Memo(not set)
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Title Category12
Title Movements1. Slovenly Peter
2. The Story of Flying Robert
3. Cry Baby
4. Fat Augustus Who Wouldn't Eat Any Soup
5. The Ink Boys
6. Cruel Frederick
7. Little Conrad Suck-a-Thumb
Title Grade(not set)
Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextHigh Voice
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Title Sub Category17
Title Instrument Header72
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Clean Urlstruwwelpeter-for-high-voice-and-chamber-ensemble-r01570