Advantages: Slow laments, sensuous dances Disadvantages: None are possible
Composed by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan
Label Deutsche Grammophon
Price £6.99
Released: April 1, 1989
Available in most good music stores
Edvard Grieg was born in Bergen, Norway in 1843. He is the greatest composer Norway has ever produced. At the age of only 15 years, Grieg went to the Leipzig Conservatory to study music. Four years later he left the Conservatory as a full-fledged musician and composer.
Grieg is a nationalist and succeeded in bringing these together elements of Norwegian folk music and his own personal conceptions of Norwegian nature and the Norwegian character. (Although Great Britain can lay some claim to Grieg?s descendancy ? his great grandfather was a Scot).
Henrik Ibsen, a playwright and fellow Norwegian asked him to write ...
Advantages: spectacular scenery, and visiting the home of one of the world's most famous composers Disadvantages: the cost generally
Having been on holiday several times to Norway, one of the highlights is Grieg's house at Troldhaugen. Within easy reach of Bergen Centre, it is well signposted. It is a must for all music lovers. The house is open to the public, and, unlike many homes of the famous, you can tour all of his rooms, even seeing his piano where he played, and the outhouse overlooking the fjord where he did much of his composing. On the site is a super museum containing paintings of the composer and artefacts, and alsoconcert hall where recitals occur throughout the season. Further down the path towards the fjord is Grieg's grave, a large stone plaque covering the site of where his ashes are buried in the side of the cliff. It is a moving and beautiful spot; well woth the visit. There is an admission charge (fairly substantial - but isn't everything ...
![Edvard Grieg: Norwegian Peasant Dances [Slåtter] op. 72](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/79552684.jpg "Edvard Grieg: Norwegian Peasant Dances [Slåtter] op. 72")
