Ye Three Mice (Solo Piano)

Overview of the Piece

Go on a musical journey inspired by the Three Blind Mice nursery rhyme with quotes from the 1904 children’s book “Complete Version of ye Three Blind Mice” by John W. Ivimey (available on the Project Gutenberg website):

Movement 1

“Set out to roam” with the three ill-prepared mice on their grand adventure. The movement starts with a grand introduction as dreams of fame and fortune strike the trio, then shifts to a beautiful soundtrack as their new adventure unfolds.

Movement 2

Adorable una corda music elaborates on a segment of the nursery rhyme song as the resolve of the “Three Bold Mice” weathers the journey’s setbacks. The movement ends with a sudden and brief panic as the cat pounces and the “Three Scared Mice” are chased into the thorns.

Movement 3

The same segment of the nursery rhyme song is transformed to a mournful blues with descending cluster chords as the Three “Sad”, “Blind”, and “Sick” Mice suffer from wounds, fatigue, and hunger.

Movement 4

The music offers a weak glimmer of hope as the “Three Wise Mice” find medicine for their ailments, gradually strengthening as the mice heal.

Movement 5

The “Three Proud Mice”—having survived and learned from their journey—find success and are thriving as skilled artisans. The music draws a loud, virtuosic happy ending featuring their lively industry and the realization of their grand dreams from Movement 1.

Performances

Synthesized MIDI recording by John Crawford (a.k.a. “DefCello”) in October, 2024.

Audiobook of the 1904 book “Complete Version of ye Three Blind Mice” by John W. Ivimey and Walton Corbould, Narration by Joelle Shenk released February, 2025.

Visual novel of the 1904 book “Complete Version of ye Three Blind Mice” by John W. Ivimey and Walton Corbould, released February, 2025.