A Difficult Relationship

Donald Macleod explores Grieg's links with Bergen, and Troldhaugen – the house he built just outside the city

On 9th September 1907, it’s estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their respects and watch Edvard Grieg’s cortège pass through the streets of Bergen. It’s an image that speaks of the enormous affection and esteem in which Grieg was held at the time of his death. Bergen was where Grieg was born in 1843, and in a speech he made 60 years later, he acknowledged that his music was drawn from the life of its people, the surroundings of the town and its natural beauty. His birthplace is one of several locations which provided Grieg with professional opportunity and creative nourishment. This week Donald Macleod is exploring Grieg’s life through the contrasting environments he needed to find the inspiration to write music. Donald begins his survey in Bergen, before assessing the decade Grieg spent in Oslo, and the solitude he found in the picturesque Hardanger region. But Grieg had another, contradictory side to his nature, he was also a restless spirit and a keen traveller.

The Bergen Grieg knew as a child was a thriving fishing centre. The bustling harbour was an essential part of the city's character and, recollecting this later, Grieg was to say fondly, “I’m sure my music has a taste of the codfish in it.”

Varen (2 Elegiac Melodies, Op 34)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor

Piano concerto in A minor (3rd movt - Allegro moderato molto e marcato)
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
Berlin Philharmonic
Mariss Jansons, conductor

Jesus Kristus er opfaren (4 Psalms, Op 74)
Audun Iversen, baritone
Edvard Grieg Kor
Håkon Matti Skrede, conductor

Two Brown Eyes (Melodies of the Heart, Op 5)
Monica Groop, mezzo soprano
Love Derwinger, piano

Cello sonata in A minor op 36 (3rd movement - Allegro molto e marcato)
Steven Isserlis, cello
Stephen Hough, piano

Holberg Suite, Op 40 (1st movement - Praeludium; 2nd movement - Sarabande; 5th movement - Rigaudon)
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Richard Tognetti, director

Producer Johannah Smith for BBC Wales