Originally published in 2003, Edvard Grieg and his Songs examines the lifetime of Edvard Grieg. His songs were among his most popular and well-known works and both historians and critics have seen in them, Grieg at his most sophisticated and innovative. Important in and of themselves, the songs also illuminate critical aspects of his other works such as his musical impressionism, his use of folk music as a source of inspiration, and his novel approach towards harmony. Fifty of Grieg’s most important songs form the focus of this book. Each song is discussed individually and within the wider context of the composer’s output. The book provides a translation of the lyrics, and analysis of the poem and a description of the song’s form, melody, tessitura, harmony, rhythm and accompaniment, together with suggestions for interpretation. In addition to this, the book gives a brief biography of Grieg, with a chapter that analyses his approach to song writing.
List of Plates
List of Music Examples
Preface
1 Edvard Grieg: A Brief Life
2. Writer of Songs
3. The Voice of Nina Grieg
4. Opus 4 and Opus 5
5. The First Bjørnson Songs: Prinsessen, Opus 21, and Opus 39 No. 2
6. The First Ibsen Songs: Opus 23, from Peer Gynt
7. Six Songs by Henrik Ibsen: Opus 25
8. The Vinje Songs, Opus 33
9. Six Songs, Opus 48: Poems by Heine, Uhland, Vogelweide
10. Opus 44 and Opus 49: The Danish Poet Holger Drachmann
11. The Krag Songs: Opus 60
12. Songs for Children: Opus 61
13. The Haugtussa Song Cycle: Opus 67
14. Poems by Otto Benzon: Opus 69 and Opus 70
15. Conclusion
Appendix A: Norwegian Language and Pronunciation
Appendix B: List of Songs Discussed in this Work with Opus Numbers, Poets, Range and Voice Type, and Available Editions
Appendix C: Complete List of Edvard Grieg’s Published Songs for Solo Voice
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Sandra Jarrett
