MUSIC 1010 Semester Presentation Wayne Hanson Salt Lake

MUSIC 1010 Semester Presentation Wayne Hanson Salt Lake Community College

Edvard Grieg Composer and Pianist

Early Life of Edvard Hagerup Grieg � � � Born: 15 June 1843 Place: Bergen, Norway His mother was his first piano teacher Talented composer from a young age His teachers did not like his compositions, but his fellow students loved them

Married his first cousin, Nina Hagerup 11 June 1867

He was known as the Norwegian Nationalist Composer

Daughter, Alexandra, born in 1868, became ill and died shortly after her first birthday

In 1874, he was contacted by Henrik Ibsen about composing music for his play, Peer Gynt � � � Thought the play was to unmusical Took the challenge anyway Did not like working with Ibsen After it was finished, he was not happy with how it turned out Did not go to the premiere, and did not see it until nine months later

Turned out to be a huge success but he still was not satisfied.

He eventually compiled eight pieces from Peer Gynt into two Orchestral Suites

His music has been used over and over in cartoons, television, and movies � � � � � The Big Bang Theory Nikita The Simpsons The Middle The Ren & Stimpy Show Mad Men Supernatural Bugs Bunny Cartoons And Many Others

Grieg was very well loved in his native Norway

Edvard Grieg died in the Autumn of 1907, following a long illness Thousands of Norwegians lined the streets for his funeral procession, he was cremated and his ashes are entombed in a mountain crypt near his home, Troldhaug.

Listening Guide In the Hall of the Mountain King � (0: 00) At the beginning of this piece, you hear a chant like sound of two French horns, as they represent the dancing trolls chasing Peer. As the chase begins, pizzicato or plucking the strings of the low strings starts. � (1: 00) The same theme continues over and over throughout the piece, but does speed up and also becomes louder as the trolls close in on Peer. � (2: 00) As the chase reaches its conclusion, the pizzicato violins join in, alternating with clarinet and oboe as the speed and volume of the music picks up more. � (2: 20) The music comes to a thunderous conclusion as Peer is caught.

Listening Guide Aase’s Death � (0: 00) This piece is played on the strings and is mostly background music. It is very simple and haunting. Slow sorrowful sound. � (1: 00 -3: 00) The same melancholy theme is repeated three times, rising in volume, passion and simplistic power. Played much louder and with more intensity. � (4: 00) As Peer’s mother dies, theme changes into a soft, slow haunting phase that lets you know that she has passed.

Listening Guide Morning Mood � (0: 00) The sunrise is introduced by a solo flute and solo oboe welcoming the new day. � (1: 00) As the sun rises into the sky the flute and oboe are joined by the full orchestra in a rapturous sound. � (3: 00) The beautiful nature scene is now continued with the soft sweet melody of a solo French horn. � (4: 30) The sunrise comes to a conclusion with the serene sound of a solo bassoon.

Listening Guide Solveig’s Song � (0: 00) Violins and violas perform soft and slow with a lullaby theme. � (2: 00) Violins continue with a quiet waltz like section, with a strumming harp joining in. � (4: 00) Song ends with a variation of the introduction played by the violins an octave higher than previously played.

Bibliography � Herresthal, Prof. Harald, Biography of Grieg Trondheim, Norway (2007) � Jarrett, Sandra. Edvard Grieg and his Songs. Burlington, VT: Ashgate, (2009) � Shelokhonov, Steve, IMDb mini Biography of Edvard Grieg, (2009) www. IMDb. com � www. classicalfm. com The Story Behind Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt (2011) � www. gulfcoastsymphony. net, Peer Gynt, (2010)