Edvard Grieg, a product of the Leipzig Conservatory, made little use of traditional sonata design in his orchestral music, contributing only two works in that form.
Cultural Impact
Grieg's music showed harmonic innovations that influenced 20th-century composers, with Maurice Ravel stating that scarcely anything he wrote was not influenced by Grieg.
Historical Context
Grieg's artistic outlook was significantly shaped by Rikard Nordraak, composer of the Norwegian National Anthem, who directed Grieg's attention to Norwegian folk music.
Performer Biography
Maurice Abravanel, conductor of the Utah Symphony Orchestra, was the youngest conductor to step to the Metropolitan Opera podium in 1936, where he was both praised and criticized for bringing a 'new spirit'.
Recording & Production
The Utah Symphony Orchestra, under Maurice Abravanel, became a leading American ensemble, undertaking four international tours and releasing over 100 recordings.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Grieg considered harmony his 'dream-world' and believed the 'sombre depth' of Norwegian folk music revealed unsuspected harmonic possibilities.
Critical Reception
In the years preceding World War II, Edvard Grieg's music was sometimes dismissed as 'hackneyed', despite enjoying tremendous popularity in the early 20th century.
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