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A Difficult Relationship

Donald Macleod explores Grieg's links with Bergen, and Troldhaugen 鈥 the house he built just outside the city.

Donald Macleod explores Grieg's links with Bergen, and Troldhaugen 鈥 the house he built just outside the city

On 9th September 1907, it鈥檚 estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their respects and watch Edvard Grieg鈥檚 cort猫ge pass through the streets of Bergen. It鈥檚 an image that speaks of the enormous affection and esteem in which Grieg was held at the time of his death. Bergen was where Grieg was born in 1843, and in a speech he made 60 years later, he acknowledged that his music was drawn from the life of its people, the surroundings of the town and its natural beauty. His birthplace is one of several locations which provided Grieg with professional opportunity and creative nourishment. This week Donald Macleod is exploring Grieg鈥檚 life through the contrasting environments he needed to find the inspiration to write music. Donald begins his survey in Bergen, before assessing the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, and the solitude he found in the picturesque Hardanger region. But Grieg had another, contradictory side to his nature, he was also a restless spirit and a keen traveller.

The Bergen Grieg knew as a child was a thriving fishing centre. The bustling harbour was an essential part of the city's character and, recollecting this later, Grieg was to say fondly, 鈥淚鈥檓 sure my music has a taste of the codfish in it.鈥

Varen (2 Elegiac Melodies, Op 34)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme J盲rvi, conductor

Piano concerto in A minor (3rd movt - Allegro moderato molto e marcato)
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
Berlin Philharmonic
Mariss Jansons, conductor

Jesus Kristus er opfaren (4 Psalms, Op 74)
Audun Iversen, baritone
Edvard Grieg Kor
H氓kon Matti Skrede, conductor

Two Brown Eyes (Melodies of the Heart, Op 5)
Monica Groop, mezzo soprano
Love Derwinger, piano

Cello sonata in A minor op 36 (3rd movement - Allegro molto e marcato)
Steven Isserlis, cello
Stephen Hough, piano

Holberg Suite, Op 40 (1st movement - Praeludium; 2nd movement - Sarabande; 5th movement - Rigaudon)
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Richard Tognetti, director

Producer Johannah Smith for 成人快手 Wales

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 9 Aug 2022 13:00

Music Played

  • Edvard Grieg

    2 Elegiac Melodies, Op 34 (Varen)

    Orchestra: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme J盲rvi.
    • DG : 4779571.
    • DG.
    • 7.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Leif Ove Andsnes. Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Mariss Jansons.
    • EMI : 5 57562-2.
    • EMI.
    • 3.
  • Edvard Grieg

    4 Psalms Op 74, No 3, Jesus Kristus er opfaren

    Singer: Audun Iversen. Choir: Edvard Grieg Kor. Conductor: H氓kon Matti Skrede.
    • CHANDOS : CHSA 52-32.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 3.
  • Edvard Grieg

    4 Pieces, Op 1 (Allegro con leggerezza)

    Performer: H氓kon Austb酶.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS : 0300559-BC.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS.
    • 6.
  • Edvard Grieg

    String Quartet in G minor, Op 27 (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Emerson String Quartet.
    • DG : 4777039.
    • DG.
    • 13.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Holberg Suite, Op 40

    Performer: Richard Tognetti. Orchestra: Australian Chamber Orchestra.
    • BIS : SACD-1877.
    • BIS.
    • 8.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 28 Dec 2020 12:00
  • Tue 9 Aug 2022 13:00

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