Search - Grieg, Davis, Ormandy :: Peer Gynt Suites 1 & 2

GIGANTIC

KH | United States | 11/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Edvard Grieg, recognized for his luscious Nordic musical soundscapes and devotion to Scandinavian folk-myth, rarely seems to receive much recognition anymore. Grieg?s music, which last saw real popularity during the earlier part of this last century, is now often heard as a backdrop for television commercials or tacky ice skating competitions. Is it the relaxing, playful nature of Grieg?s melodies, or the lilting, mischievous rhythm of his Suites that lend themselves to consumerism? Perhaps both, but more likely is that listeners of Grieg cannot seem to help but ?visualize? his work. It?s easy to imagine icy fjords, coy Germanic maidens, idyllic mountain fields ablaze with edelweiss or even friendly (if clumsy) Teutonic giants while listening to ?Peer Gynt? or ?Norwegian Dance?. Grieg?s music is at once soothing, reminiscent, healthy and most importantly, strikingly visual. Herein perhaps lies the real attraction to Grieg's work by so many ad agencies! That Grieg?s work has been relegated to simple entertainment or 30-second selling points is unfair. Not only is Grieg?s work immensely difficult to perform because of the constantly shifting, ethereal musical sequences, but it is important as a cultural benchmark as well. Grieg gave a modern musical voice to the myth and folklore that helped define Northern Europe. ?Sony Classical? has picked two fine, noteworthy conductors for their realization of Grieg?s work. Both Andrew Davis (Peer Gynt) and Eugene Ormandy (Norwegian Dance. Elegiac Melodies, March) perform Grieg?s work with all the subtlety and delicacy that you would expect. Soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom does a breathtaking job in the Peer Gynt Suites as well. For aficionados of Grieg?s work, this Sony collection will surely deliver. For new listeners wishing to experience Grieg for the first time, look no further."