About the composer
Edvard Grieg
- Years of life
- 1843–1907
- Period
- Romantic
A Norwegian Romantic composer and pianist. Folk-inflected melodies, dance rhythms and images of northern landscapes are closely associated with his music.
Explore their musicLife and music
Grieg was born in Bergen, studied at the Leipzig Conservatory, and became one of the central representatives of Norwegian musical culture. He wrote orchestral, chamber, and vocal music. The piano 'Lyric Pieces' were created over many years and show a wide range of moods and genre images.
What the music sounds like
In Grieg’s miniatures, one hears song-like qualities, dance rhythms, and characteristic harmonic colors. Folk musical culture became an important source of his language, but each piece has its own structure. A simple texture can require a very subtle relationship between melody and accompaniment.
What to listen for at the piano
Notes for independent practiceFirst, determine whether the character of the piece is closer to a song, a dance, or a soundscape. Preserve the pulse of the dance and the breathing of the melody. Clarify the pedal with changes in harmony, without losing the clarity of short motifs.
Music in our catalogue
Open a score and start practising
Sources and further reading
Biographical information is checked against the materials listed here. The performance notes are editorial guidance from Vibe Piano.