Grieg

Edvard Grieg, a renowned Norwegian composer, made significant contributions to the Romantic era with his distinctive musical style that often incorporated elements of Norwegian folk music. Among his most famous works are his incidental music for Henrik Ibsen's play "Peer Gynt," his "Lyric Pieces" for solo piano, and his Piano Concerto in A minor.

### Major Works and Compositions

- **Peer Gynt Suites**: Composed as incidental music for Henrik Ibsen's play "Peer Gynt," these suites include some of Grieg's most recognizable pieces. "Morning Mood," which depicts the rising sun, and "In the Hall of the Mountain King," which vividly captures the chase scene of the play's protagonist, are particularly famous. Other notable movements are "Anitra's Dance," "The Death of Åse," and "Solveig's Song."

- **Lyric Pieces**: This is a collection of 66 short piano pieces published in ten volumes, showcasing Grieg's lyrical and melodic talents. Notable pieces include "Arietta," "March of the Dwarfs," "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen," and "To the Spring."

- **Piano Concerto in A Minor**: Grieg's only completed piano concerto is one of his most celebrated works. It opens with a dramatic timpani roll followed by a descending sequence of chords played by the soloist. The concerto reflects the influence of Robert Schumann, whose Piano Concerto in A minor inspired Grieg.

- **Holberg Suite**: Originally composed for piano and later arranged for string orchestra, this suite is a tribute to the playwright Ludvig Holberg. It consists of five movements based on Baroque dance forms, including a "Prelude," "Sarabande," "Gavotte," "Air," and "Rigaudon."

### Frequent Quizbowl Clues

1. **Peer Gynt Suites**: Many questions highlight the individual movements such as "Morning Mood," "In the Hall of the Mountain King," "Anitra's Dance," and "Solveig's Song." These pieces are commonly referenced in relation to Grieg's incidental music for Ibsen's play.

2. **Lyric Pieces**: This collection is frequently mentioned, with specific references to pieces like "Arietta," "March of the Dwarfs," and "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen."

3. **Piano Concerto in A Minor**: The opening with a timpani roll and the dramatic entrance of the soloist are key details often included in quizbowl questions. Comparisons to Schumann's concerto are also common.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up on qbreader.org

1. **Morning Mood**: Often associated with its depiction of sunrise and used to describe Grieg's contribution to "Peer Gynt."

2. **In the Hall of the Mountain King**: Known for its crescendoing intensity and depiction of the protagonist's chase by trolls.

3. **Wedding Day at Troldhaugen**: A popular piece from the "Lyric Pieces" that is frequently referenced.

4. **Arietta**: The first piece in the "Lyric Pieces" collection, often noted for its lyrical simplicity.

5. **March of the Dwarfs**: Another piece from "Lyric Pieces" known for its lively and playful character.

6. **Holberg Suite**: Especially its movements like "Prelude," "Sarabande," and "Rigaudon," noted for their Baroque style.

7. **Piano Concerto in A Minor**: Notable for its opening with a timpani roll and the influence of Schumann.

### Related Quizbowl Facts with Blanks for Practice

1. The musicologist Gerald Abraham has suggested that Claude Debussy drew inspiration for his String Quartet from this composer’s only surviving complete string quartet, whose last movement is a G minor ___1___.

2. A piece by this composer begins with the piano alternating D-A dyads between hands in a long, short, short, long rhythm, as seen in “Wedding Day at ___2___.”

3. This composer adapted the opening theme from the first section "Arietta" into a waltz for the last segment entitled "___3___."

4. A dramatic timpani roll before a cascade of falling minor seconds and thirds opens this composer’s only piano concerto, influenced by Robert ___4___.

5. This composer of the "Holberg Suite" and "Lyric Pieces" used a solo flute to depict a Moroccan sunrise in “___5___ Mood.”

1. **Saltarello**

2. **Troldhaugen**

3. **Remembrances**

4. **Schumann**

5. **Morning**

These facts and exercises should provide a comprehensive understanding of Edvard Grieg's contributions to music and prepare you for related quizbowl questions.

### Clues, References, or Plot Lines Used More Than Once

1. **Lyric Pieces** - 26 mentions

   - Example: "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen"

   - Example: "March of the Dwarfs"

2. **Peer Gynt Suite** - 25 mentions

   - Example: "Morning Mood"

   - Example: "In the Hall of the Mountain King"

3. **Piano Concerto in A minor** - 22 mentions

   - Example: "A timpani roll culminating in a crashing chord"

   - Example: "Schumann’s piano concerto and is in A minor"

4. **Edvard Grieg** - 20 mentions

   - Example: "Name this Norwegian composer"

   - Example: "Composer of 'In the Hall of the Mountain King'"

5. **Holberg Suite** - 16 mentions

   - Example: "Rigaudon"

   - Example: "Suite 'in olden style'"

6. **"Morning Mood"** - 15 mentions

   - Example: "Depicted the rising of the sun over the Sahara desert"

   - Example: "Begins with a flute solo in E major and 6/8 time"

7. **"In the Hall of the Mountain King"** - 15 mentions

   - Example: "Movement depicting an encounter with trolls"

   - Example: "In his incidental music to Peer Gynt"

8. **"Wedding Day at Troldhaugen"** - 14 mentions

   - Example: "A piece included in his collection of sixty-six short Lyric pieces"

   - Example: "From his Lyric Pieces collection"

9. **"March of the Dwarfs"** - 13 mentions

   - Example: "Included in his collection of sixty-six short Lyric pieces"

   - Example: "From his Lyric Pieces collection"

10. **Incidental Music to Peer Gynt** - 11 mentions

    - Example: "Henrik Ibsen play"

    - Example: "Contains movements like 'Morning Mood' and 'In the Hall of the Mountain King'"

11. **"Anitra's Dance"** - 9 mentions

    - Example: "Movement from Peer Gynt"

    - Example: "Included in his Peer Gynt Suite"

12. **"The Death of Ase"** - 7 mentions

    - Example: "A lament from Peer Gynt"

    - Example: "Movement from the Peer Gynt Suite"