Edvard Grieg, born in Bergen, Norway, had a father's family (originally spelt Greig) that was a merchant family from Scotland.
Notable Performances
The unfinished String Quartet in F major had a remarkable private performance in 1907 with pianist Harold Bauer on first violin, Julius Röntgen (also a pianist) on viola, and Pablo Casals on second violin (held like a cello).
Compositional Technique
The String Quartet in G minor, a work by a lyrically inclined pianist rather than a string player, emphasizes melody, sonority, and atmosphere over traditional polyphonic elements.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Grieg's interest in Norwegian folk music was awakened by the Norwegian composer Rikard Nordraak, profoundly influencing Grieg's later development.
Composition History
Grieg composed his String Quartet in G minor during a period of artistic and personal crisis in the winter of 1877-78, viewing it as an exercise in larger forms.
Performer Biography
The Kontra Quartet, founded in 1973, became the first Danish ensemble in many years to be appointed as a State ensemble in 1989, allowing its members time off from orchestral commitments.
Cultural Impact
Claude Debussy was inspired by Grieg's String Quartet in G minor when he approached the string quartet genre himself.
