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Grieg, Edvard Hagerup : Humoresker Op.6

Work Overview

Music ID : 639
Composition Year:1865 
Publication Year:1865
First Publisher:Horneman & Erslev
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:pieces
Total Playing Time:11 min 30 sec
Copyright:Public Domain

Commentary (1)

Author : Saitoh, Noriko

Last Updated: November 1, 2007
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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Composed in 1865, this is a collection of four pieces. It is dedicated to Rikard Nordraak (1842–1866), an ardent Norwegian nationalist. Nordraak, the composer of the Norwegian national anthem, died prematurely at the age of 23. Grieg occasionally referred to Scenes from Folk Life, Op. 19 as "Humoresques."

No. 1: Tempo di Valse

This piece is in Tempo di Valse, but it also evokes a mazurka.

No. 2: Tempo di Minuetto ed energico

This piece exists in two versions, A minor and G-sharp minor, with the original being G-sharp minor. The "Minuet" in this piece is not a classical minuet but is thought to be associated with sagas (prose narratives from medieval Scandinavia). The theme of this piece is taken from the folk song "All Men Had Feet," and Grieg skillfully develops this melody.

No. 3: Allegretto con grazia

This is the most frequently performed piece within this collection of Humoresques. Phrasing that makes effective use of the rests inserted throughout the piece is required.

No. 4: Allegro alla burla

The fourth piece, Allegro alla burla, concludes the collection with a sense of freshness. From the middle section, a sense of charm emerges, and various devices, such as chromatically rich hemiolas, are elaborately employed.

Writer: Saitoh, Noriko

Movements (4)

"Two Brown Eyes"-Tempo di valse Op.6-1

Total Performance Time: 3 min 00 sec 

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"The Poet’s Heart"-Tempo di menuetto ed energico Op.6-2

Total Performance Time: 2 min 30 sec 

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" I Love But Thee!"-Allegretto con grazia Op.6-3

Total Performance Time: 2 min 30 sec 

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