Grieg Folk Dances and Songs; Piano Transcriptions
A fine recital consolidating the growing reputation of a superb Norwegian pianist
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Edvard Grieg
Genre:
Instrumental
Label: Naim Audio
Magazine Review Date: 7/2002
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 63
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: NAIMCD059
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Springlaat |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Dance from Jölster (Jölstring) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Halling |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: The pig (Grisen) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Ole in a rage (Aa Ole engang i sinde fik) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Solfager and the worm-king (Solfager og ormekongen |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Comic dance (Stabbe-latten) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Hölje Dale |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Cow call (So lokka me over den myra) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Peasant song (Saag du nokke kjaerringa mi) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (25) Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Movement: Bridal song (Brulaatten) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| Transcriptions of Original Songs I, Movement: Cradle Song (Op. 9/2) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| Transcriptions of Original Songs I, Movement: She is so white (Op. 18/2) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| Transcriptions of Original Songs I, Movement: To Spring (Op. 21/3) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (17) Norwegian peasant dances, Movement: John Vaestafae's Spring dance |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (17) Norwegian peasant dances, Movement: Rötnamsknut |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (17) Norwegian peasant dances, Movement: Bridal march (Bruremarsch) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (17) Norwegian peasant dances, Movement: Giböen's dream (Giböens draum) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (17) Norwegian peasant dances, Movement: The goblin's bridal procession (Tussebrurefaera pnen) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (17) Norwegian peasant dances, Movement: The girls of Kivledal: Spring dance (Kivlemöyernans) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| Transcriptions of Original Songs II, Movement: A Mother's grief (Op. 15/4) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| Transcriptions of Original Songs II, Movement: The first meeting (Op. 21/1) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| Transcriptions of Original Songs II, Movement: The poet's heart (Op. 5/2) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: Cattle call (Kulok) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: Lullaby (Bådnlåt) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: Cow call (Lok) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: Ranveig |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: In Ola valley, in Ola lake (I Ola-dalom i Olakjö |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: Cradle song (Bådnlåt) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: I wander deep in thought (Jeg gaar i tusind tanker |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
| (19) Norwegian Folksongs, Movement: Gjendine's cradle song (Gjendines Bådnlåt) |
Edvard Grieg, Composer
Edvard Grieg, Composer Håvard Gimse, Piano |
Author:
This disc neatly complements the outstanding recent disc of Grieg Lyric Pieces from Leif Ove Andsnes (EMI‚ 4/02). Like his compatriot‚ Håvard Gimse studied with Ji·i Hlinka‚ and once again‚ following his earlier recordings of Sibelius and Chopin‚ he shows himself to be an outstanding artist. Again‚ like Andsnes‚ there is nothing flashy or selfserving in Gimse’s playing; he achieves an ideal balance of natural simplicity and subtle artistic sophistication.
This collection concentrates on Norwegian folk dances‚ and while the scope of the music is somewhat restricted the pervading nostalgic quality is often moving‚ the faithful simplicity of the settings superbly emphasised by Gimse. In the Folk Dances‚ Op 17‚ composed by Grieg in the aftermath of the death of his only child Alexandra‚ Gimse’s beautiful sound‚ with a marvellous cushioned tone at softer dynamics‚ balances melody and accompaniment perfectly without ever becoming over precious. He manages to get the balance between authentic rusticity and lilting lyricism just right‚ and strikes to the heart of each piece without artifice or sentimentality.
The Folksongs‚ Op 66‚ are particularly evocative and melancholy – an impression perhaps heightened by this selection which passes over the few fasterpaced numbers – and here‚ although Gimse’s tempos are occasionally daringly expansive‚ his concentrated repose is compelling. In the most substantial of these pieces‚ ‘I wander deep in thought’ (track 30)‚ his tempo is very slow‚ but the way he builds the intensity is hugely impressive.
The highlights‚ however‚ are the song transcriptions‚ which are in effect additional Lyric Pieces. Gimse’s projection of tone‚ judgement of rubato and control of colour are enthralling‚ and makes me want to hear him in Liszt’s Schubert song arrangements. Some may wish Gimse had recorded complete opus numbers‚ rather than cherry picking‚ but in this repertoire it doesn’t bother me at all. The sound is warm and natural‚ and this comes highly recommended.
Grieg Folk Dances and Songs; Piano Transcriptions
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