Recording from 15. Jun 2018
Grieg: Piano Concerto
The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra's signature work.
Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto was premiered in Copenhagen in April 1869 without Grieg being present. One year earlier, summer 1868, he travelled to Denmark to write his concerto. Together with his soprano wife Nina and their little daughter Alexandra he settled in Sølleræd, north of Copenhagen. Here he found peace and quiet to compose his international breaktrough.
Norwegian pianist Håvard Gimse is the soloist in this recording from the exciting project Grieg Minute by Minute – The Slow TV Programme of the Year 2018, 30 hours of live broadcasting from Troldhaugen and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra on NRK Television!
What was Grieg Minute by Minute?
For the 175th anniversary of Edvard Grieg’s birth, on 15 June 2018, KODE / Troldhaugen, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and other collaborators, produced the largest and longest Grieg concert ever performed, featuring all of his opuses, from 1-74.
The comprehensive slow television project was produced by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, NRK. NRK’s ground-breaking slow television programmes have captured millions of viewers in recent years. They made use of every possible venue to make Grieg Minute by Minute the year’s grandest media event on the music front.
How long did it last?
Approximately 30 hours. It began at 5.30 pm on Grieg’s birthday, Friday 15th June, and continued until around 10 pm the following day. There were many highlights: The A minor concerto around 10 pm on the Friday, a theatrical version of Peer Gynt around 1 am on the Saturday, Ved Rondane at sunrise, the Holberg Suite for breakfast on the Saturday, Haugtussa at dinnertime, and in conclusion, Four Psalms – Grieg’s very last opus – at his gravesite at Troldhaugen late Saturday evening.
Where did it take place?
Most of the concerts took place in Bergen. The orchestra pieces were performed in Grieghallen and Store Studio by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra respectively, while the great majority of the works – the piano pieces, the songs and chamber music – were performed at Troldhaugen.
Who participated?
Norway’s most prominent pianists, singer, string musicians and chamber music ensembles, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Chorus, Edvard Grieg Kor – and a score of soloists from across the country.
The recording is presented with kind permission from NRK.