Grieg E. Pieces. For contrabass and piano. Piano score and part

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) originated from Bergen, one of the most prominent cities in Norway. He got his musical education in the Leipzig Conservatoire, where he studied at Moscheles, Hauptmann, Richter, Reinecke etc. Later Niels Gade — professor of music, director of the conservatoire and doctor of philosophy, leader of the Scandinavian trend — himself became his tutor. However, that was his young friend the musician Richard Nordraak to have influenced him most of all, turning over the composer’s attitude to the Scandinavian culture. Grieg remembered that due to Nordraak he began studying folk Northern songs and his musical manner was completely determined. The young companions renounce refined pseudo-Scandinavian decorations peculiar to Niels Gade, choosig the new way for the Northern trend.

Among Grieg’s compositions there are orchestral suites, music for theatre (“Peer Gynt” after H. Ibsen), piano sonata and concerto, so as numerous miniatures imbibed with traditional Norwegian motives.

The edition we’d like to offer to your attention includes ten of Grieg’s miniatures, arranged for contrabass. These pearls of miraculous music turns, harmonic fluctuations and rhythms are mostly striking at concerts and really useful for young performers. Their technical and imaginative spheres are fertile, evoking both soul and skill. Their construction concentrates everything expressive and virtuoso during rather a short piece of music. Therefore Grieg’s miniatures will be cream of crops for beginners and mature composers.

Georgiy Ivanov

CONTENTS:

SHEET FROM THE ALBUM. Op. 12, No 7 (Music Text Example)
WALTZ. Op. 12, No 2 
FOLK SONG. Op. 38, No 2 
NORWEGIAN TUNE. Op. 12, No 6  
NORWEGIAN DANCE
ELEGY. Op. 38, No 6
MELODY. Op. 38, No 3
LYRICAL PIECE. Op. 43, No 5
WALTZ
CANON. Op. 38, No 8