Grieg's song cycle Haugtussa, Op. 67, one of his most important, was composed in just two weeks after he was deeply inspired by Arne Garborg's newly published poetry.
Composer Biography
Grieg stated that his 'genius was love' and that his wife, a singer, was the 'only true interpreter' of his songs, profoundly influencing his song composition.
Compositional Technique
In 'A Bird Cried Out' from Op. 60, Grieg incorporated the cry of a gull into the prelude and postlude, a motif he noted hearing in Hardanger.
Composer Biography
Grieg's daughter, Alexandra, died of meningitis at a young age, an event that deeply affected him and is reflected in some of his songs, such as 'A Mother's Grief' and ''Neath the Roses'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Edvard Grieg believed that in composing songs, the primary goal was to do justice to the poet's intentions, not merely to produce music.
Composition History
The song 'Margaret's Cradle Song' was inspired by the birth of Grieg's daughter, Alexandra, in March 1868.
Composer Biography
Grieg composed 170 songs with piano accompaniment, but only 131 of these were published with opus numbers during his lifetime.
