Edvard Grieg: Holberg Suite, op.40 | NEC Chamber Orchestra

Edvard Grieg | Holberg Suite, op. 40 NEC Chamber Orchestra | Donald Palma, artistic director 00:00 - Praeludium: Allegro vivace 02:45 - Sarabande: Andante espressivo 06:33 - Gavotte: Allegretto - Musette: Un poco più mosso 09:50 - Air: Andante religioso 15:20 - Rigaudon: Allegro con brio - Trio Grieg’s Holberg Suite was commissioned in 1884 for the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of the “Molière of the North,” writer Ludwig Baron Holberg (1684-1754). Since Holberg was a contemporary of Bach and Handel, Grieg chose to compose his tribute in the form of a French Baroque period suite. He cast six movements in the musical forms of the 18th century and filled them with the spirit of his own time and style. A lively, optimistic Praeludium is followed by a series of dances. The Sarabande, with its peaceful, meditative mood, is followed nicely by a perky, aristocratic Gavotte. A calm, sublime, solemn Air comprises the fourth movement, and a lively folk song tribute to fiddling, a Rigaudon, makes up the last movement of the suite. Originally written for piano, Grieg quickly orchestrated the work for strings, and it is this version of what Grieg referred to as “my powdered-wig piece,” that remains a most frequently performed works for string orchestra.