Edvard Grieg

Arnstein · Post by **Arnstein** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:39 pm

Hello!

I'm new on this board, and since I'm from Norway, I thought it was appropriate to start a new topic about Grieg.

I recently went to see Trondheim Symphony Orchestra performing his Piano Concerto in a-minor(Sigurd Slåttebrekk on piano). I love that piano concerto, and it was really good performed. I also like his lyric pieces very much. I think Melodies of the Heart(lyrics by H.C. Andersen) is very good too. I do ofcourse like more of his music, but now it's your turn: what's your favourite works by Grieg?

rasputin · Post by **rasputin** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:05 pm

The 3 violin sonatas, the cello sonata and the 2 string quartets

ch1525 · Post by **ch1525** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:13 pm

I am working on his Piano Sonata in E minor, Op. 7 this semester. It is a pretty neat piece.

I also enjoy his Piano Concerto.

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:33 pm

Welcome.

One of my favorites is the Homage March from his Sigurd Jorsalfar suite.

James · Post by **James** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:51 pm

Arnstein wrote:what's your favourite works by Grieg?

the small selection of lyric pieces i have heard are nice

piston · Post by **piston** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:01 pm

Hello,
Edvard Grieg's piano music is a precursor of and major influence on French impressionist composer Maurice Ravel. I am most impressed by his solo piano music, particularly some ten volumes of it called the Lyric Pieces. A wonderful creator, he was also a man of principle.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:07 pm

Welcome, Arnstein! You are far more knowledgable about Grieg than I am, so I can't say anything meaningful here, but I hope you will stay with us and post often on whatever subjects interest you.

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:48 am

I haven't heard a work of Grieg's I didn't enjoy. He attempted to carry on the high-minded work of Schumann---thus, there are no cheap thrills or superficial nonsense in Grieg's work.

I also enjoy music of another countryman of yours: the symphonies of Christian Sinding, also a couple of his piano concerti.

Good to have you posting here!

Jack

val · Post by **val** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:05 am

My favorite works of Grieg are:

Haugtussa, Lieder.

3rd violin Sonata.

Peer Gynt (some parts of it).

hautbois · Post by **hautbois** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:53 am

The lyric pieces speak for themselves (Emil Gilels on DGG), if you have time to seat down, a good Peer Gynt recording would be so much more than elevator or flight music!

lmpower · Post by **lmpower** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:50 pm

val wrote:My favorite works of Grieg are:

Haugtussa, Lieder.

3rd violin Sonata.

Peer Gynt (some parts of it).

I agree with this completely. I'll never forget the first time I heard Haugtussa. It was performed by a Norwegian soprano at the Monday evening concerts in Los Angeles many years ago. I had never heard the work, and it came as a revelation to me. I can't think of anything more characteristic of Grieg.

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:44 pm

I'm one of the bigger Grieg buffs on this board; check out this posting of mine for some stuff that's always welcome with my ears:
http://classicalmusicguide.com/phpBB2/v ... hp?t=12646

ch1525 · Post by **ch1525** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:33 pm

I was looking for different recordings of Grieg's Piano Sonata when I came across this set on Amazon:

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004 ... CAV">Grieg: Piano Concerto - Sonata Op. 7, Lyric Pieces Opp. 43, 54 & 65</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004 ... B00004LCAV" target="_blank"> <img src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B ... _.jpg"></a>

Seems to be a pretty nice 2 CD set at a great price. Andsnes is supposed to be one of the foremost interpreters of Grieg's piano music nowadays, isn't he?

Does anyone else have any favorite recordings of his Piano Sonata?

Haydnseek · Post by **Haydnseek** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:54 pm

I’ve gotten much pleasure from Gerhard Oppitz’s 7 disc set of Grieg piano music from RCA. I’m listening to a disc with the Humoresques, Op. 6, Albumleaves, Op. 28, Moods, Op 73 and other pieces as I write. Oppitz plays with taste and sensitivity on a Bösendorfer that sounds just right for this music.

piston · Post by **piston** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:58 pm

I have this Virgin Classics set and pianist Leif Ove Andsnes is presently one of the best Grieg performers out there. (He is also very busy performing around the globe these days). The second discs includes 18 beautiful Lyric pieces, including the pre-impressionist Notturno. Good choice!

lmpower · Post by **lmpower** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:52 pm

I own Emil Gillels record of Grieg's lyric pieces and always enjoy listening to it very much.

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:32 pm

Andsnes' 2002 disc of Lyric Pieces, done on Grieg's own piano, is worth investing in......incomparable high notes on that instrument.

As for favorite recordings of the Piano Sonata, I'd list Alicia DeLarrocha & Danielle Laval.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:19 pm

Peer Gynt: Solveigs Sang

Fire Salmer, op. 74

I always liked the instrumental version of Solveig's Song from the Peer Gynt suite, but when I heard Lucia Popp sing it (German version, with Neville Marriner) I really held my breath wile listening. She certainly tops the nevertheless delightful Barbara Bonney (with Neeme Järvi), although Bonney sings it in Norwegian, which might be considered a plus.

I once sang in a choir that performed the four choral works Fire Salmer, and that was great. I felt that Grieg dared to be a bit more adventurous in this music, and it was a joy to contribute to that experience.

I know of one CD with these choral works, a Chandos recording with the Danish National Radio Choir and conductor Jesper Grove Jørgensen. These works are coupled with choral works by the Danish composer Niels Gade.

Eetu Pellonpää · Post by **Eetu Pellonpää** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:07 pm

If you got spare cash or a comprehensive library you should find a 6 CD box of Grieg's orchestral works played by Gothenburg Symphony orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi. I think 2/3 of the materral on that epicx packet is pure bliss, painting up great impressionistic visions of this intersting composer.

If you like Viking themes, check out the 1958 shot movie "The Viking" featuring Kirk Douglas a s a fierce Viking warrior, there are some nice scenes with Grieg's music on that classic!

BorisG · Post by **BorisG** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:27 pm

Arnstein wrote:Hello!

I'm new on this board, and since I'm from Norway, I thought it was appropriate to start a new topic about Grieg.

I recently went to see Trondheim Symphony Orchestra performing his Piano Concerto in a-minor(Sigurd Slåttebrekk on piano). I love that piano concerto, and it was really good performed. I also like his lyric pieces very much. I think Melodies of the Heart(lyrics by H.C. Andersen) is very good too. I do ofcourse like more of his music, but now it's your turn: what's your favourite works by Grieg?

Do not pass up Grieg Complete Chamber Music, the Brilliant Classics compilation.

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