Chandos
American Record Guide Critics’ Choice

Grieg: Symphonic Dances / Gardner, Bergen Philharmonic

ClassicalDramatic, triumphant, romantic, virtuosic

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Details

Composer
Edvard Grieg
Artist
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Format
SACD
Discs
1
Label
Chandos
Released
Feb 16, 2024
Catalog #
CHSA 5301
UPC
095115530122

About

Grieg’s four Symphonic Dances are a late work, completed in 1898. Grieg takes his inspiration (as in so much of his output) from traditional Norwegian folk tunes, and the four movements together deliver a symphonic unity in their overall effect. Both Bergliot and Before a Southern Convent are written on texts by Grieg’s good friend the author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, who was also a theatre manager in Oslo. Bjørnson is considered one of the four great Norwegian authors alongside Ibsen, Lie, and Kielland, received the 1903 Nobel Prize for literature, and wrote the words for the Norwegian national anthem. Bergliot – a declamation with orchestra – tells the story of a dramatic episode involving the chieftain Einar Tambarskjelve and his son Eindride, killed by King Harald Hårdråde. Before a Southern Convent is a more traditional setting – requiring two vocal soloists, female choir, and orchestra rather than the narrator of Bergliot – of the story of the folk-hero and barbarian Arnljot Gelline. In the course of his wild escapades, he killed a chieftain, but allowed the chieftain’s daughter, Ingigerd, to live. This daughter left the homestead and wandered southwards in poverty – through Europe. At long last she arrived at a convent which granted her admittance. The album is completed by the Funeral March for Rikard Nordraak – a friend of Grieg’s, who died of tuberculosis in 1866. Grieg conceived it first for solo piano, but whilst travelling by train to Bergen to attend Grieg’s funeral, Johan Halvorsen made the orchestral arrangement heard in this recording.

Critic reviews

  • “Whether or not you want this album probably hinges on if you need a copy of the Symphonic Dances—anybody who loves Grieg’s music should know them—and if you’re as interested by Bergliot as I am.”

    American Record Guide, American record guide critics’ choice 2024, January 2025

  • “The Grieg disc represents a real bonanza, as it includes two strongly-etched rarities – Bergliot and Before a Southern Convent – both derived from Nordic literary sources.”

    Fanfare, Want list, November 2024

Show 1 more review
  • “These performances seem exemplary to me. …The Bergen Philharmonic sound thoroughly at home with these works, as indeed they should be and Edward Gardner guides the proceedings with a sure hand.”

    MusicWeb International, Recommended, June 2024

Tracklist 7 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro moderato e marcato 06:28
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato e marcato
    Duration
    06:28
    Composer
    Edvard Grieg
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  2. 2 II. Allegretto grazioso 06:58
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Allegretto grazioso
    Duration
    06:58
    Composer
    Edvard Grieg
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  3. 3 III. Allegro giocoso 05:24
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro giocoso
    Duration
    05:24
    Composer
    Edvard Grieg
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  4. 4 IV. Andante - Allegro risoluto 11:11
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Andante - Allegro risoluto
    Duration
    11:11
    Composer
    Edvard Grieg
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  5. 5 Bergliot, Op. 42 17:22
    Track
    5
    Title
    Bergliot, Op. 42
    Duration
    17:22
    Composer
    Edvard Grieg
    Performer
    Juni Dahr
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  6. 6 Foran sydens kloster (Before a Southern Convent), Op. 20 09:24
    Track
    6
    Title
    Foran sydens kloster (Before a Southern Convent), Op. 20
    Duration
    09:24
    Composer
    Edvard Grieg
    Performer
    Mari Eriksmoen, Astrid Nordstad
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  7. 7 Sørgemarsj over Rikard Nordraak (Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak), EG 107 (arr. J. Halvorsen for orchestra) 06:56
    Track
    7
    Title
    Sørgemarsj over Rikard Nordraak (Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak), EG 107 (arr. J. Halvorsen for orchestra)
    Duration
    06:56
    Composer
    Edvard Grieg
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner