Book

Johansen, David Monrad, 1888-1974.

Edvard Grieg / by David Monrad-Johansen ; translated from the Norwegian by Madge Robertson.

Princeton : Princeton University Press ; New York : American-Scandinavian Foundation, 1938.

vii, 400 pages : illustrations, portraits, pls. ; 24 cm

In writing the life of Grieg, the author has taken as his thesis the cleavage in Grieg's nature which kept him from producing as great works as might have been expected from his genius. In musical temperament, Grieg was akin to Norwegian folk music. Even before he knew of the existence of this music he produced works that constantly remind one of native songs and dances. Artistically, however, he was a product of the conventional Music Conservatory at Leipzig, although he revolted against its sterility and continually sought a new form of expression. The author has had exceptional facilities for studying his subject. He has had access to all Norwegian material, including Grieg's posthumous papers, not formerly available. He has also had the advice and cooperation of Fru Nina Grieg in the last years of her life, and he has been able to consult with many of Grieg's intimate friends. As a composer and music critic, Monrad-Johansen is able to speak with knowledge and understanding of Grieg's musical works, while at the same time he has written a book which, in its human element, will appeal to the ordinary reader.

Grieg, Edvard, 1843-1907.

Composers -- Norway -- Biography.

Biographies.

Edvard Grieg. English

Ole Bull -- Student days in Leipzig -- Results of Leipzig. The first piano pieces and songs ; The first public performance -- Youthful years in Denmark. Meeting with Gade, Danish friends and colleagues ; Nina Hagerup and the compositions from the first year in Copenhagen ; Rikard Nordraak ; Grieg and Nordraak ; Euterpe, the society for the advancement of Northern music ; The artist comes into his kingdom ; Betrothal, departure from Denmark ; Nordraak's death, first visit to Rome -- Christiania period. A welcome, the first Norwegian concert ; The academy of music, conductor of the philharmonic society ; Marriage, Halvdan Kierulf and Johan Svendsen ; Difficult times, Alexandra Grieg ; Sölleröd ; Intrigues, an application for a stipend and a letter from Liszt ; Björnson, second journey to Rome and meeting with Liszt ; Publishing difficulties, the founding of the musical society and collaboration with Svendsen ; Hatred of the capital ; Compositions inspired by Björnson ; Opera plans with Björnson ; Olav Tryvason -- Bergen and Lofthus. Collaboration with Ibsen ; The Peer Gynt music ; The ballad and the Ibsen songs ; In Bayreuth, and a winter of misgivings in Christiania ; Hardanger ; The fateful winter at Lofthus ; Concerts abroad and at home ; The Vinje songs ; Conductor of the Harmonic society ; The unwilling pegasus ; Concerts in Germany and Holland, building plans ; The Holberg jubilee -- Troldhaugen. Outward triumphs, inward resignation ; Romanticism and realism ; Concerts in Christiania and Copenhagen ; Work once more ; First appearance in London, Berlin, and Paris ; Grieg's cosmopolitan confession of faith ; Peace oratorio and second string quartet ; In the Jotunheim ; The monotonous nineties ; Haugtussa and folk songs -- The last years. Increasing illness but continued concert tours, sixtieth birthday ; Last romances and piano pieces ; Folk dances ; The Dreyfus affair, political and social interests ; Outlook on art and artists, excerpts from Grieg's diary ; The last concerts, the chorales ; The summer of 1907, death and burial.

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BIO Grieg