Sunday 14 May 2017

Edvard Grieg Choir presents a varied program of English composers Grieg met and corresponded with, together with some of Grieg's most famous songs, arranged especially for this concert.

When Grieg visited London for the first time in 1888, his songs and lyrical pieces were already well known, and he was considered England's most popular composer living in the valley. His personal style, with folk melodies and an exciting harmonica had a particular appeal for amateur musicians all over the country. Grieg's great popularity remained, and he returned to England several times, the last time in May 1906.

The program at the concert consists of both sacred and secular songs, both well-known and somewhat rarely performed. Among other things, we will hear classics from the Evensong tradition, by Charles V. Stanford and Hubert Parry, who both played a part when Grieg was created an honorary doctorate in Cambridge in 1894 and in Oxford in 1906.

Less well known are probably the pieces from Percy Grainger's arrangements for The Jungle Book. The choir also offers rarities from John Francis Barnett and Eaton Faning, which show the influence of the Nordics.