Five essential works by Grieg
We choose the best pieces by the Norweigan composer, Grieg
Published:
Piano Concerto
Including one of the most famous concerto openings, Grieg’s sole completed work in the genre won Liszt’s admiration.
Recommended recording:
Leif Ove Andsnes; Berlin Philharmonic/Mariss Jansons
EMI 394 3992
Peer Gynt
Grieg’s incidental music to Ibsen’s drama includes two perennial hits – ‘Morning’ and the splendidly menacing ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’.
Recommended recording:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Beecham
EMI 965 9342
Lyric Pieces
These unassuming yet haunting pieces sowed the seeds for some of the most revolutionary and forward-looking music of the 20th century.
Recommended recording:
Emil Gilels
DG 449 7212
Holberg Suite
Classical grace appropriately informs this suite in homage to the 18th-century Norwegian-born playwright Ludvig Holberg, born a year before Bach, Handel and Scarlatti.
Recommended recording:
Norwegian Chamber Orchestra/Terje Tønnesen
BIS CD 147
Haugtussa
Grieg’s genius is most evident in his songs, largely inspired by the singing talent of his wife. His song cycle Haugtussa (‘The Mountain Maid’) is one of his greatest works, with strikingly impressionistic piano writing.
Recommended recording:
Katarina Karnéus (mezzo-soprano), Julius Drake (piano)
Hyperion CDA 67670
Authors
Freya Parr is BBC Music Magazine's Digital Editor and Staff Writer. She has also written for titles including the Guardian, Circus Journal, Frankie and Suitcase Magazine, and runs The Noiseletter, a fortnightly arts and culture publication. Freya's main areas of interest and research lie in 20th-century and contemporary music.
