Edvard Grieg: Norwegian Composer and Pianist

Edvard Grieg – Holberg Suite
June 1843 – September 1907

Grieg, a Norwegian composer and pianist, is widely considered one of the leading Romantic era composers and the best known of all 19th century Scandinavian composers. His use and development of Norwegian folk music in his own compositions put the music of Norway in the international spectrum, as well as helping to develop a national identity.

The Holberg Suite is more properly titled: From Holberg’s Time-Suite in olden style. Originally written for the piano, and later arranged by the composer for string orchestra, is an imitation of 17th and 18th century dance styles.

Fun Fact: Grieg survived two life-threatening lung diseases, pleurisy and tuberculosis. Throughout his life, his health was impaired by a destroyed left lung and considerable deformity of his thoracic spine. His last words were “Well, if it must be so.”