This album is part of the BIS complete edition of Edvard Grieg’s piano music and features a selection of works that trace his development from early Romantic influences to his mature, national style.
Grieg’s deep connection to Norwegian folk music and his innovative harmonic language are on full display. The album includes early pieces like Poetiske tonebilleder, Op. 3, and his breakthrough Humoresker, Op. 6, as well as the beloved Lyric Pieces and arrangements of traditional Norwegian dances and songs, including selections from 25 Norwegian Folk Songs and Dances, Op. 17, and the poignant Ballade in G minor, Op. 24. These works are marked by lyrical charm, rhythmic vitality, and harmonic richness.
Later pieces such as Norwegian Folk Tunes, Op. 66, and Slåtter, Op. 72, reveal Grieg’s mature voice—combining modal folk elements with chromatic harmonies and personal expression. Through these pieces, Grieg not only shaped a distinctly Norwegian idiom but also influenced composers like Debussy and Bartók.
