Edvard Grieg composed his Holberg Suite, more properly known as In Holberg’s Time: Suite in Olden Style, for the bicentenary celebration of the birth of the Danish playwright Ludwig Holberg. It may be curious that Norway would celebrate the playwright who is regarded as the father of modern Danish literature, and responsible for elevating Danish to a literary language. However, Holberg, who lived most of his life in Denmark and was educated in Copenhagen and Oxford, hailed from Grieg’s hometown—Bergen, Norway—and the Norwegians claimed him as much their own as the Danes. Over his lengthy career, Holberg’s writings ranged from historical and philosophical works to stage comedies and poetry. It is primary his comedies upon which his fame rests today.
Holberg’s lifetime (1684-1754) corresponds to the late Baroque period, which prompted Grieg to compose his tribute as a modern interpretation of the music that would have likely been heard at that time, making it, in a sense, an early experimentation in neo-classicism. Cast in five movements, the Holburg Suite consists of the movements often found within in the Baroque dance suite—Praeludium, Sarabande, Gavotte, Air, and Rigaudon. Grieg originally composed the suite for solo piano, and premiered it himself a few days after a statue of Holberg was unveiled in Bergen. The suite met with great success, prompting Grieg to score the work for string orchestra the following year. Though it often takes second place to Grieg’s more famous Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, the Holberg Suite is nonetheless a work of equal charm and merit.Joseph DuBose
Located in historic Round Top, Texas, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts and its sole project, The International Festival-Institute at Round Top, were founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick. Begun with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, the project is now an internationally acclaimed European-styled music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty. Over a thirty eight year period and with the help of its patrons and friends, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts has developed superb year round education and performance programs.
Classical Music | Ensemble Music
Edvard Grieg
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 Play
Recorded on 07/01/2007, uploaded on 08/20/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Edvard Grieg composed his Holberg Suite, more properly known as In Holberg’s Time: Suite in Olden Style, for the bicentenary celebration of the birth of the Danish playwright Ludwig Holberg. It may be curious that Norway would celebrate the playwright who is regarded as the father of modern Danish literature, and responsible for elevating Danish to a literary language. However, Holberg, who lived most of his life in Denmark and was educated in Copenhagen and Oxford, hailed from Grieg’s hometown—Bergen, Norway—and the Norwegians claimed him as much their own as the Danes. Over his lengthy career, Holberg’s writings ranged from historical and philosophical works to stage comedies and poetry. It is primary his comedies upon which his fame rests today.
Holberg’s lifetime (1684-1754) corresponds to the late Baroque period, which prompted Grieg to compose his tribute as a modern interpretation of the music that would have likely been heard at that time, making it, in a sense, an early experimentation in neo-classicism. Cast in five movements, the Holburg Suite consists of the movements often found within in the Baroque dance suite—Praeludium, Sarabande, Gavotte, Air, and Rigaudon. Grieg originally composed the suite for solo piano, and premiered it himself a few days after a statue of Holberg was unveiled in Bergen. The suite met with great success, prompting Grieg to score the work for string orchestra the following year. Though it often takes second place to Grieg’s more famous Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, the Holberg Suite is nonetheless a work of equal charm and merit. Joseph DuBose
More music by Edvard Grieg
Violin Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 8
Solveigs Sang, Op. 23, No. 19
In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite
Sonata for Violin and Piano op.45, mvt. 3
In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite
Sonata for Violin and Piano in c minor, Op. 45
Sonata for Violin and Piano in c minor, Op. 45
String Quartet in G minor, Op. 27
Once Upone a Time (arr. Fourmeau)
Ein Traum, from Sechs Lieder, Op. 48
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Courtesy of The International Festival-Institute at Round Top
Located in historic Round Top, Texas, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts and its sole project, The International Festival-Institute at Round Top, were founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick. Begun with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, the project is now an internationally acclaimed European-styled music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty. Over a thirty eight year period and with the help of its patrons and friends, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts has developed superb year round education and performance programs.