Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Lyric Pieces
arranged by Klaus Uwe Ludwig [org]
Original scoring: Piano
EB 8832
56 pages | 30,5 x 23 cm | 234 g | ISMN: 979-0-004-18396-0 | Saddle Stitch
Description
The Romantic character piece for piano is crucial to a group of works in Edvard Griegs complete oeuvre. At the request of his publisher, the composer filled an entire 10 volumes with Lyric Pieces, a total of 66 individual works. The titles and characters of many pieces reflect the influence of the musical and literary folklore of Griegs Norwegian homeland. The experienced church musician Klaus Uwe Ludwig made a selection of the most appropriate pieces from the collection and adapted these for organ.
- Cross section of the whole subject range of the Lyric Pieces
- Welcome enhancement to the Romantic organ repertoire
- Arrangements based on the Edvard Grieg complete edition guarantee a reliable music text
Content
1. Arietta 1. Arietta op. 12 Nr. 1
2. Alfedans (Elfentanz) 2. Alfedans (Elfentanz) op. 12 Nr. 4
3. Norsk (Norwegisch) 3. Norsk (Norwegisch) op. 12 Nr. 6
4. Berceuse 4. Berceuse op. 38 Nr. 1
5. Springdans (Springtanz) 5. Springdans (Springtanz) op. 38 Nr. 5
6. Folkevise (Volksweise) 6. Folkevise (Volksweise) op. 38 Nr. 2
7. Halling 7. Halling op. 38 Nr. 4
8. Småfugl (Vöglein) 8. Småfugl (Vöglein) op. 43 Nr. 4
9. Melankoli (Melancholie) 9. Melankoli (Melancholie) op. 47 Nr. 5
10. Bekken (Bächlein) 10. Bekken (Bächlein) op. 62 Nr. 4
11. Elegi (Elegie) 11. Elegi (Elegie) op. 47 Nr. 7
12. Trolltog (Zug der Trolle) 12. Trolltog (Zug der Trolle) op. 54 Nr. 3
13. Hjemve (Heimweh) 13. Hjemve (Heimweh) op. 57 Nr. 6
14. Bryllupsdag på Troldhaugen (Hochzeitstag auf Troldhaugen) 14. Bryllupsdag på Troldhaugen (Hochzeitstag auf Troldhaugen) op. 65 Nr. 6
15. Bestemors menuett (Großmutters Menuett) 15. Bestemors menuett (Großmutters Menuett) op. 68 Nr. 2
16. Sommeraften (Sommerabend) 16. Sommeraften (Sommerabend) op. 71 Nr. 2
17. Småtroll (Kobold) 17. Småtroll (Kobold) op. 71 Nr. 3
Preface
The ten volumes of Lyric Pieces (opp. 12, 38, 43, 47, 54, 57, 62, 65, 68, and 71) by Edvard Grieg include altogether 66 character pieces. They represent a part of my lifes history, stated the composer, and they tell of his Norwegian homeland. Grieg here gives the genre of the Romantic character piece a turn to pictorial realism and deals with impressions of nature, landscape ketches, dances, and songs. Thus, in almost all of his works he is considered as the national composer of his Norwegian homeland akin, for instance, to Niels Wilhelm Gade for Denmark or Jean Sibelius for Finland.
The present selection takes up pieces that are not explicitly pianistic and are suitable for rendering on the organ. Advisable for playing in concerts is a set of three, five, or a few more pieces. Character contrast (fast slow / virtuosic lyric ) and a meaningful key sequence can be guiding principles.
The arrangements are based on volume 1 of the Edvard Grieg Complete Edition (Edvard Grieg Committee, Oslo), edited by Dag Schjelderup-Ebbe, Edition Peters, 1977?/?2006.
Most of the performance markings were retained, even though they are intended for the piano and cannot always be realized on the organ. Regardless, they do serve to interpret and show the composers intentions. A distribution on two or three manuals sometimes falls into place of its own accord when melodies are to be carefully highlighted less in the sense of the Baroque Spaltklang ideal (extremely contrasting colors for solo and accompaniment), than along lines of the Romantic organs basic sonorous color, often with manuals coupled.
If the original high-pitched passages on the piano exceed the instruments range in the organ arrangement, then the registration can be based on the 4 range, occasionally in the pedal also in the 8 or 4 range. This is also to be recommended for other passages that may possibly not sound full enough at the original pitch, or where octave shifts may be needed. Each player must make a personal decision whether to implement all of Griegs arpeggio markings on the organ.
The present edition makes available a selection of pieces from an essential and significant work group in the Romantic piano repertoire for the organ in an appropriate manner.
Wiesbaden, Fall 2016 Klaus Uwe Ludwig
