Grieg - Utah Symphony Orchestra, Maurice Abravanel, Grant Johannesen – 'Peer Gynt' Suites Nos. 1 & 2 / Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16

Grieg – Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 & 2 / Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16

“Edvard Grieg” – Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 & 2 / Piano Concerto In A Minor brings together three of the Norwegian composer’s most celebrated works, performed here by the Utah Symphony Orchestra under Maurice Abravanel, with Grant Johannesen as piano soloist. The programme combines Grieg’s richly atmospheric orchestral writing with the virtuosic Piano Concerto, making this an excellent introduction to the sound of 19th-century Scandinavian Romanticism.

The Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16 was composed in 1868–1869 and premiered in Copenhagen in 1869, with Edmund Neupert as soloist. It was Grieg’s only completed piano concerto and remains one of the most popular works in the Romantic piano repertoire. From the dramatic opening timpani and descending piano chords of the first movement to the lyrical Adagio and energetic finale, the concerto combines virtuosic piano writing with Norwegian melodic and rhythmic influences.

The music for Henrik Ibsen’s drama Peer Gynt was originally composed in 1875, with Grieg creating incidental music for the stage production. He later selected orchestral movements from the score to create two concert suites. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 was published in 1888, featuring some of Grieg’s best-known melodies including “Morning Mood”, “Åse's Death”, “Anitra's Dance” and the instantly recognisable “In The Hall Of The Mountain King”. Suite No. 2, Op. 55 followed in 1891, including “Solveig's Song”, “Arabian Dance” and “Peer Gynt's Return”.

The combination of the Peer Gynt suites and Piano Concerto showcases Grieg’s ability to move between intimate lyricism, colourful orchestration and dramatic Romantic grandeur. This recording is particularly appealing to collectors and listeners interested in Edvard Grieg, Norwegian classical music, Romantic orchestral music, piano concertos and famous classical melodies.

Tracklist

'Peer Gynt' Suite No. 1, Op. 46

1. Morning Mood – 4:32
2. Åse's Death – 4:09
3. Anitra's Dance – 3:34
4. In The Hall Of The Mountain King – 2:29

'Peer Gynt' Suite No. 2, Op. 55
5. The Abduction – 4:15
6. Arabian Dance – 4:36
7. Peer Gynt's Return – 2:42
8. Solveig's Song – 5:00

Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16
9. Allegro Molto Moderato – 12:24
10. Adagio – 6:44
11. Allegro Moderato Molte E Marcato - Quasi Presto - Andante Maestoso – 10:12