John Horton (2)

Grieg was a fiercely proud Norwegian who embraced his role as a leader in the movement to foster a national identity for Norwegian music.

His Piano Concerto brought him international attention by his early 30s and remains a staple of the repertory. Grieg wrote 10 volumes of “Lyric Pieces” for piano: short, colorful and imaginative novelties with endearing titles like “Homesickness,” “March of the Trolls” and “The Shepherd Boy.” A 1993 Deutsche Grammophon recording of 25 Grieg show more songs by the fine Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter struck many music lovers as a revelation. Grieg wrote dozens of elegant, personal and beautifully conceived songs, and during his lifetime he and his wife, Nina Hagerup, a soprano, had wide success performing them on the recital circuit. show less