Grieg: Music for Strings

Featuring

Ole Kristian Ruud
Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
Edvard Grieg

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Performer Biography

Ole Kristian Ruud, the conductor on this album, has received several prestigious awards, including the Grieg Prize (1992) and the Norwegian Critics Prize (1993).

Compositional Technique

Grieg consciously uses open strings as a way of colouring the sound and can instruct players to play specific notes on a particular string, like 'sul G' (on the G string).

Composer Biography

Edvard Grieg, though primarily a pianist, developed his expertise in writing for strings through collaboration with his brother, a skilled cellist.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Grieg often arranged his songs and piano compositions for string orchestra, primarily to perform them on concert tours.

Compositional Technique

Grieg's string music often features divided upper strings, with the melody usually in the first violins, but sometimes given to the cellos.

Compositional Technique

Grieg's string writing is extremely detailed, with precise dynamic markings and specific instructions for string players, such as 'sul ponticello' and 'tremolo'.