Edvard Grieg - 3. Grieg's Double Bass Concerto

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Episode 3 of 5: Grieg's Double Bass Concerto
First broadcast: Wednesday 14 May 2014

Donald Macleod explores more unusual Grieg arrangements, including a double bass concerto - plus the composer's much-loved Holberg Suite, in its original piano version.

Grieg's gift for the fleeting, artful and utterly delightful musical miniature means that he's one of the most rearranged and reimagined composers in history. Instrumentalists of every shade down the years - from trombonists to accordionists, brass bands to hard rock collectives - have sought to cast Grieg's music in their own image. This week, Donald Macleod dips his toe into the vast array of arrangements of Edvard Grieg's music - introducing a selection of brilliant, often unorthodox musical creations - whilst taking us through five key works spanning the composer's career.

Unlike the 'secret' symphony heard in Monday's episode, Grieg most definitely did not ever conceive of a double bass concerto. However, that didn't deter the acclaimed double bassist Gary Karr, whose virtuoso reimagining of the composer's Cello Sonata we hear in today's programme. Donald Macleod also presents two rare choral works, as well as one of Grieg's best loved compositions in its unfamiliar original form: the Holberg Suite.

00:02
Edvard Grieg
Landkjenning - cantata Op.31 for baritone, male chorus, orchestra & organ
Singer: Håkan Hagegård. Orchestra: Bergen filharmoniske orkester. Conductor: Ole Kristian Ruud. Choir: Bergen Filharmoniske Kor. Choir: Bergen Vocal Ensemble. Choir: Seim Songkor.
BIS : SACD-1391, BIS, 9

00:10
Edvard Grieg
Sonata in minor Op.36 for cello and piano
Performer: Gary Karr. Orchestra: Adelaide S O. Conductor: Patrick Thomas.
ABC CLASSICS 8770018, ABC CLASSICS, 3

00:21
Edvard Grieg
Holberg suite Op.40 vers. for piano
Performer: Håkon Austbø.
GRIEG: HOLBERG SUITE, BRILLIANT CLASSICS, 9

00:41
Edvard Grieg
Lyric pieces - book 2 Op.38 for piano - Elegy
Performer: János Bálint. Performer: Deborah Sipkai.

00:45
Edvard Grieg
Lyric pieces - book 3 Op.43 for piano - Butterfly
Performer: Mie Miki.
BIS : CD-1629, BIS, 10

00:46
Edvard Grieg
Lyric pieces - book 3 Op.43 for piano - Little Bird
Performer: Emmanuelle Bertrand. Performer: Pascal Amoyel.
HARMONIA MUNDI : HMC-901962, HARMONIA MUNDI, 10

00:48
Edvard Grieg
Lyric pieces - book 3 Op.43 for piano - To Spring
Performer: Christian Lindberg. Performer: Per Lundberg.
BIS BIS CD 808, BIS, 5

00:52
Edvard Grieg
Den Bergtekne [The mountain thrall] Op.32 for baritone, 2 horns and strings
Singer: Håkan Hagegård. Choir: Bergen Filharmoniske Kor. Orchestra: Bergen filharmoniske orkester. Conductor: Ole Kristian Ruud.
BIS SACD1391, BIS, 12
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