Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

1/5. Donald Macleod explores the music heard at the first of two poignant memorial concerts held in London following Grieg's death a century ago, and looks at how Britain reflected on the loss of one of its most loved foreign composers.

Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak (orch. Johan Halvorsen)

London Symphony Orchestra

Per Dreier (conductor)

In Autumn (I Host), Op 11

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Henrik Wergeland, Op 58, No 3

Hakan Hagegard (baritone)

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Neeme Jarvi (conductor)

Old Norwegian Melody with Variations, Op 51

Solveig's sang (Peer Gynt)

Barbara Bonney (soprano)

Neeme Jarvi (conductor).

The music heard at the first of two memorial concerts held in London upon Grieg's death.

2/5. The second of two memorial concerts held in London following Grieg's death in 1907 was a chamber music event. Donald Macleod investigates the music and artists who performed and also considers the Scottish ancestry to be found in the Norwegian composer's family tree.

Finale (String Quartet in G minor, Op 27)

Oslo String Quartet

The Time of Roses (Zur Rosenzeit), Op 48, No 5

Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano)

Bengt Forsberg (piano)

A Dream (Ein Traum), Op 48, No 6

Homesickness (Hjemve), Op 57, No 6

Leif Ove Andsens (piano)

From Monte Pincio (Fra Monte Pincio), Op 39, No 1

Monica Groop (mezzo-soprano)

Ilmo Ranta (piano)

At the Grave of a Young Wife (Ven en ung Hustrus Bare), Op 39, No 5

Sonata No 2 in G, Op 13

Augustin Dumay (violin)

Maria Joao Pires (piano).

Investigating the Scottish ancestry to be found in the Norwegian composer's family tree.

3/5. Donald Macleod investigates what made the pervasive Norwegian identity in Grieg's music so attractive to audiences in Britain, from his landmark pieces to his later, more complex compositions.

Norwegian Dances, Op 35, No 1 (orch. Sitt)

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Neeme Jarvi (conductor)

Humoresque, Op 6, No 3

Einar Steen-Nokleberg (piano)

Peer Gynt Suite No 1, Op 46

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Herbert von Karajan (conductor)

The Mountain Maid (Haugtussa), Op 67

Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano)

Bengt Forsberg (piano).

Exploring what made the Norwegian identity in Grieg's music attract audiences in Britain.

4/5. Donald Macleod explores some of the personal encounters with British people that helped to shape Grieg's life, from his long-standing friendship with composer Frederick Delius to a meeting in Birmingham with a church leader that precipitated a change in the Norwegian's spiritual outlook.

Symphonic Dances, Op 64 No 1

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Sonata No 3, Op 45 (1st mvt)

Fritz Kreisler (violin)

Sergei Rachmaninov (piano)

The Mountain Thrall (Den Bergekne), Op 32

Hakan Hagegard (baritone)

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Neeme Jarvi (conductor)

Four Psalms, Op 74

David Wilson-Johnson (baritone)

Polyphony

Stephen Layton (conductor)

Ave, Maris Stella

Stephen Layton (conductor).

The encounters with British people that shaped Grieg's life, including Frederick Delius.

5/5. Musical Britain was greatly excited about Grieg's London debut in 1888. Albums of his piano pieces were already popular in homes across the country, and his arrival on stage here as a concert pianist was held up by the storm of applause that greeted him. Donald Macleod looks at Grieg's reception in British concert halls and considers whether the composer was held in equally high esteem as a pianist.

Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Op 65 No 6

Leif Ove Andsens (piano)

To Spring, Op 43 No 6

Edvard Grieg (piano)

Romancer, Op 15

Monica Groop (mezzo-soprano)

Ilmo Ranta (piano)

Piano Concerto, Op 16

Murray Perahia (piano)

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Colin Davis (conductor)

Remembrances, Op 71 No 7

Leif Ove Andsens (piano).

Grieg's debut in Britain as a concert pianist was held up by the applause that greeted him

Donald Macleod introduces a group of works written early in Grieg's career including his only piano sonata, the concert overture based on his own song Autumn Storm, and the moving musical memorial to his friend Rikard Nordraak which would be played at Grieg's own funeral some 40 years later.

Donald Macleod introduces a group of works written early in Grieg's career.

Donald Macleod introduces music Grieg wrote with Bjornstjerne Bjornson and Henrik Ibsen.

Donald Macleod presents music written by Grieg in the peaceful surroundings of Hardanger.

Donald Macleod examines the relationship between Grieg and his wife Nina.

Donald Macleod introduces Grieg's best known work: his piano concerto.

Grieg's gift for the fleeting, artful and utterly delightful musical miniature means that he's one of the most rearranged and reimagined composers in history. Instrumentalists of every shade down the years - from trombonists to accordionists, brass bands to hard rock collectives - have sought to cast Grieg's music in their own image. This week, Donald Macleod dips his toe into the vast array of arrangements of Edvard Grieg's music - introducing a selection of brilliant, often unorthodox musical creations - whilst taking us through five key works spanning the composer's career.

The week begins with perhaps the most 'un-Griegian' of musical creations. It comes as a shock to many music-lovers to discover that the young Grieg composed a symphony: one he later marked 'never to be performed'. Donald Macleod explores the story behind this 'forbidden' symphony and why it never came to be heard.

Donald Macleod introduces arrangements of Grieg's music and his 'forbidden' symphony.

Grieg's gift for the fleeting, artful and utterly delightful musical miniature means that he's one of the most rearranged and reimagined composers in history. Instrumentalists of every shade down the years - from trombonists to accordionists, brass bands to hard rock collectives - have sought to cast Grieg's music in their own image. This week, Donald Macleod dips his toe into the vast array of arrangements of Edvard Grieg's music - introducing a selection of brilliant, often unorthodox musical creations - whilst taking us through five key works spanning the composer's career.

Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor holds an almost mythical place in our collective musical consciousness - by far the most popular and beloved piano concerto with the general public, listeners of a certain age still chuckle at the memory of 'Mr Andrew Preview's performance on the Morecambe and Wise show. Today, Donald Macleod explores three very different versions of this iconic work - from the jazz-lounge of Ray Conniff, to Grieg's own two-piano arrangement of the opening movement, to a spellbinding jazz reimagining by the young British composer Gwilym Simcock - before ending the programme with Svistoslav Richter's coruscating performance of the finale with the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.

Donald introduces three very different interpretations of Grieg's famous Piano Concerto.

Grieg's gift for the fleeting, artful and utterly delightful musical miniature means that he's one of the most rearranged and reimagined composers in history. Instrumentalists of every shade down the years - from trombonists to accordionists, brass bands to hard rock collectives - have sought to cast Grieg's music in their own image. This week, Donald Macleod dips his toe into the vast array of arrangements of Edvard Grieg's music - introducing a selection of brilliant, often unorthodox musical creations - whilst taking us through five key works spanning the composer's career.

Unlike the 'secret' symphony heard in Monday's episode, Grieg most definitely did not ever conceive of a double bass concerto. However, that didn't deter the acclaimed double bassist Gary Karr, whose virtuoso reimagining of the composer's Cello Sonata we hear in today's programme. Donald Macleod also presents two rare choral works, as well as one of Grieg's best loved compositions in its unfamiliar original form: the Holberg Suite.

Donald Macleod on a Grieg cello sonata arranged for double bass, plus the Holberg Suite.

Grieg's gift for the fleeting, artful and utterly delightful musical miniature means that he's one of the most rearranged and reimagined composers in history. Instrumentalists of every shade down the years - from trombonists to accordionists, brass bands to hard rock collectives - have sought to cast Grieg's music in their own image. This week, Donald Macleod dips his toe into the vast array of arrangements of Edvard Grieg's music - introducing a selection of brilliant, often unorthodox musical creations - whilst taking us through five key works spanning the composer's career.

Amongst the myriad reworkings of Grieg's music, one piece stands out as offender-in-chief. Grieg's own reworking of his music to Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt' into two orchestral suites ensured his fame and fortune - and a multitude of arrangements, even in his own lifetime. But more than this, and faintly surreally, one famous number, 'In The Hall Of The Mountain King' has more recently found a devoted following that Grieg could have never have imagined ... amongst devotees of hard rock and heavy metal. Donald Macleod explores the circumstances of Peer Gynt's composition - as well as the bizarre array of arrangements that followed.

Donald Macleod introduces a series of contrasting musical takes on Peer Gynt.

Grieg's gift for the fleeting, artful and utterly delightful musical miniature means that he's one of the most rearranged and reimagined composers in history. Instrumentalists of every shade down the years - from trombonists to accordionists, brass bands to hard rock collectives - have sought to cast Grieg's music in their own image. This week, Donald Macleod dips his toe into the vast array of arrangements of Edvard Grieg's music - introducing a selection of brilliant, often unorthodox musical creations - whilst taking us through five key works spanning the composer's career.

Although Grieg's solo songs are much beloved by performers, his only song cycle, the late masterpiece Haugtussa (The Mountain Maid) is rarely performed; in the final episode of this week's series, we hear it performed by the mezzo-soprano, Anne-Sofie von Otter. There's also a final dip into the plethora of arrangements of Grieg's music - including a two-piano version of his stirring 'Homage March' - plus a rare outing for his very final work, the Four Psalms for baritone and chorus.

Donald Macleod introduces Grieg's final vocal masterpiece: his song cycle Haugtussa.

Butterfly, Op.43 No.1 (Lyric Pieces Book 3 )

Edvard Grieg (piano)

In Autumn, Op.11

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Sakari Oramo

25 Norwegian Folk-songs and Dances Op.17 (selection)

Einar Steen-Nøkleberg (piano)

Violin Sonata No.2 in G, Op.13

Baiba Skride (violin)

Lauma Skride (piano)

Before a Southern Convent, Op.20

Barbara Bonney (soprano)

Randi Stene (mezzo-soprano)

Women's voices of the Gothenburg Symphony Chorus

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Neeme J䀀rvi

Producer Deborah Preston.

Donald Macleod introduces music from Grieg's early years.

A Swan, Op. 25 No.2

Anne-Sofie von Otter (mezzo soprano)

Bengt Forsberg (piano)

Album for Male Voices, Op.30 (selection)

Grex Vocalis

String Quartet in G minor, Op.27

Amphion Quartet

Spring, Op.33 No.2

Producer Deborah Preston.

Donald Macleod introduces music from the inspiring landscape of the Hardanger region.

Cello Sonata in A minor, Op.36

Danjulo Ishizaka (cello)

Shai Wosner (piano)

Mountain Thrall, Op.32

Monica Groop (mezzo soprano)

Roger Vignoles (piano)

Holberg Suite

H倀kon Austbø (piano).

Donald Macleod introduces music written at a time of crisis in Grieg's life.

Norwegian Dance Op.35 No.2

Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow (piano duet)

Lyric Suite Op.54

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor, Ole Kristian Ruud

Norwegian Folk Song Op.66 No.18

Percy Grainger (piano)

The Mountain Maid, Op.67

Marianne Beate Kielland (mezzo)

Nils Anders Mortensen (piano).

Donald Macleod introduces Grieg's great song cycle written for his wife Nina.

Summer's Eve, Op.71 No.2 (Lyric Pieces Book 10)

H倀kon Austbø (piano)

Evening in the Mountains, Op.68 No.4; Lullaby, Op.68 No.5 (Lyric Pieces Book 9)

WDR Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Elvind Aadland

Norwegian Peasant Dances Op.72 (selection)

Funeral March for Rikard Nordraak

Gothenberg Symphony Orchestra

Conductor, Neeme J䀀rvi

Four Psalms Op.74

The Norwegian Soloists' Choir

Conductor, Grete Pedersen

Producer Deborah Preston.

Donald Macleod introduces music from Grieg's final years including a funeral march.

On 9th September 1907, it's estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their respects and watch Edvard Grieg's cort耀ge pass through the streets of Bergen. It's an image that speaks of the enormous affection and esteem in which Grieg was held at the time of his death. Bergen was where Grieg was born in 1843, and in a speech he made 60 years later, he acknowledged that his music was drawn from the life of its people, the surroundings of the town and its natural beauty. His birthplace is one of several locations which provided Grieg with professional opportunity and creative nourishment. This week Donald Macleod is exploring Grieg's life through the contrasting environments he needed to find the inspiration to write music. Donald begins his survey in Bergen, before assessing the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, and the solitude he found in the picturesque Hardanger region. But Grieg had another, contradictory side to his nature, he was also a restless spirit and a keen traveller.

The Bergen Grieg knew as a child was a thriving fishing centre. The bustling harbour was an essential part of the city's character and, recollecting this later, Grieg was to say fondly, `I'm sure my music has a taste of the codfish in it.`

Varen (2 Elegiac Melodies, Op 34)

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Neeme J䀀rvi, conductor

Piano concerto in A minor (3rd movt - Allegro moderato molto e marcato)

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Berlin Philharmonic

Mariss Jansons, conductor

Jesus Kristus er opfaren (4 Psalms, Op 74)

Audun Iversen, baritone

Edvard Grieg Kor

H倀kon Matti Skrede, conductor

Two Brown Eyes (Melodies of the Heart, Op 5)

Monica Groop, mezzo soprano

Love Derwinger, piano

Cello sonata in A minor op 36 (3rd movement - Allegro molto e marcato)

Steven Isserlis, cello

Stephen Hough, piano

Holberg Suite, Op 40 (1st movement - Praeludium; 2nd movement - Sarabande; 5th movement - Rigaudon)

Australian Chamber Orchestra

Richard Tognetti, director

Producer Johannah Smith for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod explores Grieg's links with Bergen, and Troldhaugen - the house he built.

On 9th September 1907, it's estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their respects and watch Edvard Grieg's cort耀ge pass through the streets of Bergen. It's an image that speaks of the enormous affection and esteem in which Grieg was held at the time of his death. Bergen was where Grieg was born in 1843, and in a speech he made 60 years later, he acknowledged that his music was drawn from the life of its people, the surroundings of the town and its natural beauty. His birthplace is one of several locations which provided Grieg with professional opportunity and creative nourishment. This week Donald Macleod is exploring Grieg's life through the contrasting environments he needed to find the inspiration to write music. Donald begins his survey in Bergen, before assessing the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, the solitude he found in the picturesque Hardanger region. But Grieg had another, contradictory side to his nature, he was also a restless spirit and a keen traveller.

Grieg moved to Oslo, or Christiania as it was known then, when he was in his twenties. It was where Grieg would meet three leading figures in Norwegian cultural life, the playwrights Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Henrik Ibsen and the conductor and composer Johan Svendsen.

Arietta (Lyric pieces, Op 12)

Peter Jablonski, piano

Intermezzo: Borghild's Dream (Sigurd Jorsalfar: Three orchestral pieces, Op 56)

Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra

Eivind Aadland, conductor

Piano Sonata in E minor, Op 7 (1st movement - Allegro moderato)

Boris Giltburg, piano

In Autumn, Op 11

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor

Haugtussa, Op 67

Anne-Sofie Otter, mezzo soprano

Bengt Forsberg, piano

Donald Macleod looks at the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, with music including In Autumn.

On 9th September 1907, it's estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their respects and watch Edvard Grieg's cort耀ge pass through the streets of Bergen. It's an image that speaks of the enormous affection and esteem in which Grieg was held at the time of his death.

Bergen was where Grieg was born in 1843, and in a speech he made 60 years later, he acknowledged that his music was drawn from the life of its people, the surroundings of the town and its natural beauty. His birthplace is one of several locations which provided Grieg with professional opportunity and creative nourishment. This week Donald Macleod is exploring Grieg's life through the contrasting environments he needed to find the inspiration to write music. Donald begins his survey in Bergen, before assessing the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, the solitude he found in the picturesque Hardanger region. But Grieg had another, contradictory side to his nature, he was also a restless spirit and a keen traveller.

In 1877 Edvard Grieg and his young wife Nina travelled to a place on the Hardanger fjord. Grieg was immediately struck by the peace and beauty of the landscape and it became a haven to which he would return over many years.

Grieg, arr. J. Halvorsen: Bridal procession (Folkelivsbilder, Op 19 )

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner, conductor

Humoresque, Op 6 no 2

Edvard Grieg,piano

Album Leaves, Op 28

H倀kon Austbø, piano

Estonian National Symphony Orchestra

Parvo J䀀rvi, conductor

The Mountain Thrall, Op 32b

H倀kan Hageg倀rd

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Neeme J䀀rvi, conductor

Lyric Pieces Op 54 (No 3 - Trolltog; No 4 - Notturno; No 6 - Klokkeklang)

Stephen Hough, piano

Donald Macleod considers the role the Hardanger region played in Grieg's creative process

On 9th September 1907, it's estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their respects and watch Edvard Grieg's cort耀ge pass through the streets of Bergen. It's an image that speaks of the enormous affection and esteem in which Grieg was held at the time of his death. Bergen was where Grieg was born in 1843, and in a speech he made 60 years later, he acknowledged that his music was drawn from the life of its people, the surroundings of the town and its natural beauty. His birthplace is one of several locations which provided Grieg with professional opportunity and creative nourishment. This week Donald Macleod is exploring Grieg's life through the contrasting environments he needed to find the inspiration to write music. Donald begins his survey in Bergen, before assessing the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, the solitude he found in the picturesque Hardanger region. But Grieg had another, contradictory side to his nature, he was also a restless spirit and a keen traveller.

Grieg's passionate love of Norway didn't prevent him from undertaking lengthy conducting tours of the major European cities. It's a routine he established in his forties and which he continued right up to the end of his life.

Fra Monte Pincio

Barbara Bonney, soprano

Antonio Pappano, piano

Piano Concerto in A minor (2nd movt - Adagio)

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Berlin Philharmonic

Mariss Jansons, conductor

Violin Sonata No 3 (3rd movement - Allegro animato - Prestissimo)

Elena Urioste, violin

Tom Poster, piano

Peer Gynt Suite No 2, Op 55

West German Radio Symphony Orchestra

Eivind Aadland, conductor

Symphonic Dances, Op 64 (No 4 in A minor)

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Sakari Oramo, conductor

Remembrances (Lyric Pieces, Bk 10, Op 71 no 7)

Ayako Kitahama (piano)

Donald Macleod considers Grieg's wanderlust with the second suite from Peer Gynt.

On 9 September 1907, it's estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their respects and watch Edvard Grieg's cort耀ge pass through the streets of Bergen. It's an image that speaks of the enormous affection and esteem in which Grieg was held at the time of his death.

Bergen was where Grieg was born in 1843, and in a speech he made 60 years later, he acknowledged that his music was drawn from the life of its people, the surroundings of the town and its natural beauty.

His birthplace is one of several locations that provided Grieg with professional opportunity and creative nourishment. This week Donald Macleod's exploring Grieg's life through the contrasting environments he needed to find the inspiration to write music.

Donald begins his survey in Bergen, before assessing the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, the solitude he found in the picturesque Hardanger region and in the house he had built in the mountains. But Grieg had another, contradictory, side to his nature, he was also a restless spirit and a keen traveller.

In 1885 Grieg had a house built six miles from his birthplace in Bergen, on the west coast of Norway. It was perfectly situated to provide him with the peace and quiet he needed to compose. Yet, even in this outwardly idyllic surrounding, Grieg struggled to balance his emotional life.

Remembrances (Lyric pieces, Op 71)

Emil Gilels, piano

Melodies of the Heart, Op 5

To brune Ojne

Jeg elsker Dig

Monica Groop, mezzo soprano

Love Derwinger, piano

Ballade in G minor (in the form of variations on a Norwegian folktune), Op 24

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Cello Sonata in A minor Op 36 (Allegro molto e marcato)

Steven Isserlis, cello

Stephen Hough, piano

Sl倀tter, Op 72: The Goblin's Bridal Procession; Halling from the Hills;

The Girls of Kivledal Folk Dance; John Vaestafae's Dance

Ivana Gavri?, piano

Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod considers Grieg's inner struggles despite the trappings of success.

Donald Macleod looks at the people and places that had a significant impact on Edvard Grieg's life and work, meeting Norwegian fiddlers, folksong collectors and nationalist firebrands along the way. From Henrik Ibsen, who commissioned Grieg to write his most famous work, to the composer's wife Nina, for whom he wrote all his songs, this week Donald explores the key influences on the composer's outlook and development.

Today, Donald Macleod explores Grieg's breakthrough works, which came fairly early on in his career and are generally still the ones he's best remembered for: the Piano Concerto and Peer Gynt. All the recordings featured in today's programme were made by Sir Neville Marriner, as Radio 3 celebrates what would have been his 100th birthday.

Holberg Suite: I. Praeludium

Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Symphonic Dances: III and IV

Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Piano Concerto No 1: II and III

Cécile Ousset, piano

London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Peer Gynt Suite No 1

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Grieg.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

Donald Macleod looks at Grieg's early career and his breakthrough works.

Donald Macleod looks at the people and places that had a significant impact on Edvard Grieg's life and work, meeting Norwegian fiddlers, folksong collectors and nationalist firebrands along the way. From Henrik Ibsen, who commissioned Grieg to write his most famous work, to the composer's wife Nina, for whom he wrote all his songs, this week Donald explores the key influences on the composer's outlook and development.

In today's programme, we meet two figures who were influential on Grieg's approaches to nationalism at the beginning of his career - one, the virtuoso violinist Ole Bull, was a towering figure in Norwegian culture, the other, the young firebrand Rikard Nordraak, didn't live to fulfil his promise, but had a defining impact on Grieg as he was starting out.

Lyric Pieces Book 1: IV Elves' Dance

Alice Sara Ott, piano

Violin Sonata No 1 in F major: III

Augustin Dumay, violin

Maria João Pires, piano

In Autumn

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi, conductor

Funeral March for Richard Nordraak (arr for orch by Johan Halvorsen)

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor

Ballade

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West

Grieg is inspired to capture Norway's national spirit in his music. With Donald Macleod.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

Grieg encounters two musicians who seek to express in music the spirit of Norway. One is a towering figure in Norwegian culture, the other a young upstart. With Donald Macleod.

Donald Macleod looks at the people and places that had a significant impact on Edvard Grieg's life and work, meeting Norwegian fiddlers, folksong collectors and nationalist firebrands along the way. From Henrik Ibsen, who commissioned Grieg to write his most famous work, to the composer's wife Nina, for whom he wrote all his songs, this week Donald explores the key influences on the composer's outlook and development.

Today, Donald puts the spotlight on Grieg's wife Nina Hagerup, who the composer described as ‘the only true interpreter of my songs'. Nina was the inspiration behind most of the 140 songs Grieg composed in the course of his life.

Folkelivsbilleder: II Bridal Procession, arr. for orchestra

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner, conductor

Hjertets melodier: III Jeg Elsker Deg

6 Songs, op 25: II En Svane, IV Med en Vanlilje

Lise Davidsen, soprano

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Violin Sonata No 2, III. Allegro animato

Pierre Amoyal, violin

Frederick Chiu, piano

Piano Concerto No 1, I. Allegro molto moderato

Javier Perianes, piano

BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo, conductor

6 Songs Op 39: IV Millom Rosor

Monica Groop, mezzo soprano

Ilmo Ranta, piano

6 Songs Op 39: V Veng en ung Hustrus Bare (arr. for choir)

The Norwegian Soloists choir, Grete Pedersen, conductor

6 Songs Op 48: IV, Zur Rozenheit and VI‚ Ein Traum

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo soprano

Bengt Forsberg, piano

Two Elegaic Melodies

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi, conductor

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West

Donald Macleod explores the impact of Grieg's wife Nina on his songs and other works.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

Grieg's wife Nina was a talented singer and became the inspiration behind most of the 140 songs Grieg composed in the course of his life. With Donald Macleod.

Donald Macleod looks at the people and places that had a significant impact on Edvard Grieg's life and work, meeting Norwegian fiddlers, folksong collectors and nationalist firebrands along the way. From Henrik Ibsen, who commissioned Grieg to write his most famous work, to the composer's wife Nina, for whom he wrote all his songs, this week Donald explores the key influences on the composer's outlook and development.

Today, Donald finds Grieg idyllically happy in Hardangerfjord, spending hours on end walking, writing music in his hut, or fishing for cod, but Nina found the place lonely and the mountains oppressive, leading to tensions between them.

Springar after Kristian Lund

Annbjorg Lien, Hardanger fiddle

Album Leaves, Op 28: IV

Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

String Quartet Op 27: III and IV

Emerson String Quartet

The Mountain Thrall

Håkan Hagegård, baritone, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi, conductor

12 Melodies Op 33: IX Ven Rondane (At Rondane) arr. T. Aamodt

The Norwegian Soloists' Choir, Grete Pedersen-Helgerod, conductor

19 Norwegian Folk Tunes Op 66: I - VI

Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, piano

Norwegian Dances, Op 35: III and IV

Estonian National Symphony Orchestra

Paavo Järvi, conductor

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Wales and West

Grieg is inspired by the music and landscape of Hardangerfjord. With Donald Macleod.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

Donald Macleod looks at the people and places that had a significant impact on Edvard Grieg's life and work, meeting Norwegian fiddlers, folksong collectors and nationalist firebrands along the way. From Henrik Ibsen, who commissioned Grieg to write his most famous work, to the composer's wife Nina, for whom he wrote all his songs, this week Donald explores the key influences on the composer's outlook and development.

Today, we find Grieg in the Spring of 1885, when a plan he'd been nurturing for a couple of years came to fruition. The composer and his wife Nina had a house built for them on the shores of a fjord just south of Bergen, which still stands. They named it Troldhaugen, or ‘Valley of the Trolls'.

Lyric Pieces Op 43: III In my homeland

Stephen Hough, piano

Violin Sonata No 3: I Allegro molto ed appassionato

Terje Tonneson, violin

Einar Henning Smebye, piano

Wedding Day at Troldhaugen

Alice Sara Ott, piano

Peer Gynt Suite No 2: III Peer's Homecoming, IV Solveijg's Song

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ole Christian Ruud, conductor

Haugtussa: VI-VIII

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo soprano

Bengt Forsberg, piano

Stimmungen Op 73: XII-XV

Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, piano

Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West

Grieg's final years are spent either touring Europe or at Troldhaugen, the house he built.

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

Nina and Edvard Grieg move closer to civilisation, building a villa of their own in an idyllic setting among trees and overlooking a lake at Troldhaugen. With Donald Macleod.