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Grieg's Lost Symphony

Donald Macleod introduces the vast array of arrangements of Grieg's music as well as the story of his 'forbidden' symphony of 1864.

Donald Macleod introduces the vast array of arrangements of Grieg's music; plus, the story of Grieg's 'forbidden' symphony of 1864.

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.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 12 May 2014 18:30

Music Played

  • Edvard Grieg

    Lyric pieces - book 1 Op.12 for piano - Valse

    Performer: Leif Ove Andsnes.
    • EMI CLASSICS : 72435-5722962.
    • EMI CLASSICS.
    • 2.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Symphony in C minor 4th movement; Finale (Allegro molto vivace)

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Ole Kristian Ruud.
    • BIS : CD-174042.
    • BIS.
    • 8.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Symphony in C minor - Allegro Molto

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Ole Kristian Ruud.
    • BIS : CD-174042.
    • BIS.
    • 5.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Lyric pieces - book 1 Op.12 for piano - Fairy Dance

    Performer: Berlin Dreiklang Ensemble.
    • PROFIL PH06017.
    • PROFIL.
    • 5.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Lyric pieces - book 1 Op.12 for piano

    Performer: Emmanuelle Bertrand. Performer: Pascal Amoyel.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMC-901962.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 1.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Sonata no. 1 in F major Op.8 - Allegretto quasi andantino

    Performer: Vilde Frang. Performer: michail lifits.
    • EMI 9476392.
    • EMI Classics.
    • 2.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Hjertets melodier Op.5 Two Brown Eyes; I Love Thee

    Singer: Anne Sofie von Otter. Performer: Bengt Forsberg.
    • Deutsche Grammophon 477 632 6.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 24.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Lyric pieces - book 1 Op.12 - Norwegian Melody

    Performer: Mie Miki.
    • BIS : CD-1629.
    • BIS.
    • 2.
  • Edvard Grieg

    2 Symphonic pieces Op.14 for piano duet, arr. from 2 movements from "Symphony"

    Performer: Vilija Poskute. Performer: Thomas Daukantas.
    • ARS 38 131.
    • ARS.
    • 6.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 12 May 2014 12:00
  • Mon 12 May 2014 18:30

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