Ward - Edvard Grieg

Brendan Ward’s Edvard Grieg: A great little man, The unorthodox life of Norway’s greatest composer (2015), provides a quick overview of Grieg’s life based on several of the more detailed and definitive sources. The book follows the chronology of  the most significant experiences for Grieg from his birth in 1843 of Scottish decent to the outpouring of affection when he died in 1907. At his death, he was hailed as Norway’s most beloved composer.

Grieg’s two most loved compositions are his Piano Concerto, Op. 16 in A minor, and the Peer Gynt Suite. A significant number of compositions round out these two favorites, including a collection of  short piano compositions, the Lyric Pieces, which vary in style and nationalistic character. He was not only a composer but also a formidable pianist and conductor. His musical style was most influenced by two other Norwegian musicians, Ole Bull (a prodigious violinist) and Rikard Nordraak, who encouraged Grieg to abandon German Romanticism in order to develop his own individualistic tone poem style reflecting Norway’s countrysides and fjords.  He was influenced by French Impressionism but also influenced prominent French composers such as Debussy and Ravel.

Grieg had a less than fulfilling relationship with his wife, Nina, nevertheless they remained together throughout their lives. It was Nina who named the home they built outside Bergen as Troldhaugen (The Hall of the Trolls) with its forested grounds, composing hut, and eventual concert venue. An urn containing his ashes was placed in a grotto overlooking Troldhaugen after Grieg’s death at age 64.

Grieg is an interesting example of unassuming leadership. As the title of Ward's book indicates, he was a little man but he had an oversized impact. His impact became more potent because he captured the character of life experience and fables of Norway's people at a time when it was defining itself. Nationalism was needed and Grieg provided the perfect vehicle - colorful and poetic music that fostered a shared identity and patriotism.