Edvard and Nina
Donald Macleod examines the relationship between Grieg and his wife Nina. Although it became strained to breaking point, their musical partnership always remained intact.
By the 1880s, the strain in Grieg's relationship with his wife Nina was beginning to tell. In recent years, Grieg had had a series of extra-marital affairs, and at the beginning of 1886 he nearly left Nina for a 26-year old painter. It can't have helped the stability of their relationship that Edvard and Nina spent much of their lives living out of suitcases, travelling and giving concerts throughout Europe. But for all their marital difficulties, the husband and wife team made the perfect musical partnership. Nina was both his inspiration and the ideal interpreter of his songs. Donald Macleod introduces Grieg's only song cycle - the folk-inspired Haugtussa, and the ever-popular suite for string orchestra dedicated to the 18th century dramatist Ludwig Holberg.
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Music Played
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Edvard Grieg
12 Songs Op.33
Performer: Anne Sofie von OTTER - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Bengt FORSBERG - Piano
- DG.
- 4375212.
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Edvard Grieg
Holberg suite Op.40 vers. for string orchestra
Conductor: Neeme JARVI Performer: Gothenburg S O.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP.
- 437 520-2-.
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Edvard Grieg
Lyric pieces - book 5 Op.54 for piano
Performer: Einar STEEN-NOKLEBERG - Piano
- NAXOS.
- 8.-553395.
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Edvard Grieg
Haugtussa Op.67 for voice and piano
Performer: Anne Sofie von OTTER - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Bengt FORSBERG - Piano
- DG RECORDS.
- 437 521-2.
Broadcasts
- Thu 24 May 201212:00BBC Radio 3
- Thu 24 May 201218:30BBC Radio 3
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