Grieg Symphonic Dances

Grieg Symphonic Dances Program Notes

In  his  twenties,  a  close  friend  introduced  Grieg  to  the  huge  Older  and  Newer  Norwegian  Mountain  Melodies  collected  by  Ludwig  Mathais  Lindeman.    Grieg  would  spend  much  of  his  career  crafting  these  melodies  (as  well  as  his  own)  into  a  Norwegian  national  style.  In  doing  so,  he  would  become  a  central  figure  of  Norwegian  culture,  even  when  living  in  neighboring  Denmark,  where  many  of  Norway’s  most  influential  cultural  figures  lived  and  worked  (since  Norway  was  considered  quite  provincial  at  the  time).  In  all  four  Symphonic  Dances,  the  movement’s  opening  section  returns  after  a  contrasting  middle  section  (A-B-A,  or  ternary  form).  Grieg’s  beautiful  melodic  sensibility,  charming  use  of  woodwind  solos,  and  string  writing,  make  for  a  sometimes-wistful  diversion,  with  great  opportunities  for  musical  expression  throughout  the  orchestra.

Born: June 15, 1843, Bergen, Norway Died: September 4, 1907, Bergen, Norway