Edvard Grieg was born in Bergen, Norway on June 15th, 1843. For most of Edvard’s life Norway struggled to be its own nation separate from unions with other countries. It was his music that helped give Norway its own identity. For his contribution, he came to be regarded as a hero to the people of Norway. Many of his works include Norwegian folksongs and paint a musical picture of the beautiful Norwegian countryside.
Edvard’s first music teacher was his mother, who was a wonderful pianist. He began writing music at the age of nine and at fifteen was encourage by a famous Norwegian violinist, to enroll at the Leipzig Conservatory. Four years later he graduated as a talent pianist and composer. After graduation Edvard spent time in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he met and married his cousin Nina, who was a singer.
For a number of years Grieg and his wife lived in Copenhagen and toured Europe performing his music. Then in 1885 they returned to his beloved Norway to build a cabin in a villa called Troldhaugen, “Hill of the Mountain Men”. The cabin overlooked the mountains and was where Edvard wrote some of his greatest compositions.
On September 4th, 1907 Edvard Grieg died in his hometown of Bergen, Norway. He is best known for his Piano Concerto in A Minor and his music for the Henrik Ibsen’s stage play Peer Gynt which included two of his best known works; Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King. While Grieg did not compose specifically for flute, many of his famous works have been arranged for flute solo and various ensembles.
Available Sheet Music
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen Op65 #6 (arr.Bissett) (2fl or fl,cl) (score form)
To the Spring (6C)
Scherzo (6C)
Peer Gynt Suite II Op55 (trans.Saville) (fl,cl,bsn,hp,percussion) (sc&pts)
Peer Gynt Suite 2 (arr.Ben-Meir) (6C,A,B,SB)
Peer Gynt Suite 1 (arr.Ben-Meir) (6C,2A,B,CB)
Kobold und 12 andere Stucke (ed.Geller) (sc&pts)
In the Hall of the Mountain King (arr.Marlatt) (Mixed WW Ensemble)
Anitra's Dance from Peer Gynt Suite (arr.Christensen) (sc&pts) (WW5)
