Grieg, who rose to fame in 1867 with his Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, composed this collection from that year until 1901. As it was composed throughout his life, it reflects the entirety of Grieg's style, pianism, and their evolution, making it a central work among his compositions.

Each piece is a light miniature, lasting approximately 1 to 6 minutes, and was widely popular primarily in salons and homes rather than for stage performance. All pieces are given titles, and each expresses a single emotion, mood, or scene.

The first collection was published in 1867, but due to Grieg's busy schedule with piano, composition, and conducting, the second collection was not published until 16 years later. Collections 2 through 10 were composed consecutively with certain intervals between them. The complete work comprises 10 volumes, containing a total of 66 pieces.

Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Book III / Lyriske smastykker No.3 op.43

Compared to Books 1 and 2, Book 3 shows a unity in its content, focusing on nature as its theme, and the quality of each piece is high. It can be considered one of Grieg's masterpieces. It was published in 1877.

• 1. Butterfly / op.43-1 "Sommerfugl": A famous piece frequently featured among Grieg's works. Played with sparkling, even tones, its flexible musical movements, ascending and descending, truly evoke a beautiful butterfly. The main melody needs to be clearly brought out.
• 2. Lonely Wanderer / op.43-2 "Ensom vandrer": Similar to No. 1, this is another famous piece frequently featured among Grieg's works. A melancholic and flowing melody is supported by sustained notes, enhancing its beautiful resonance.
• 3. In My Native Country / op.43-3 "I hjemmet": Dedicated to Grieg's homeland. The gently and calmly sung melody is exceptionally beautiful, evoking a sentimental mood. From sparkling high notes to warmly embracing chords in the low register, it is a piece rich in charm.
• 4. Little Bird / op.43-4 "Liden fugl": From the very beginning, trills reminiscent of bird calls resonate impressively. To make these effective, it is necessary to produce clear, even tones. This piece requires delicate technique.
• 5. Erotic / op.43-5 "Erotik": This is music filled with great affection and happiness. The melody should be played with a caressing legato, and the sound should be created with warm, embracing chords.
• 6. To Spring / op.43-6 "Til foraret": One of the most well-known masterpieces among Grieg's works. Grieg composed this piece when he became homesick during a trip to Denmark. He wrote in a letter to his friend Franz Beyer: "I was so homesick for the wild, rugged beauty of Norwegian nature that I couldn't help but compose a song in its praise. It's not a particularly novel work, but it conveys my heartfelt and honest feelings." The passion hidden within the pianissimo seems to emerge with the breath of spring. It can truly be said that the beautiful lyricism of Norway is depicted here. The accompanying chords should be played with good balance and evenness. Furthermore, while paying attention to tempo markings such as ritardando, care should be taken to ensure the musical flow remains natural.