Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Edvard Grieg is regarded as Norway’s most influential and important composer of all times. He was born in Bergen on the Norwegian west coast in 1843 into a family where music and culture played a very important role. 15 years old he moved to Leipzig for studies at one of Europe’s premier conservatories of music. He stayed here until 1862 when graduating with the best marks possible. As composer he wrote a lot of music for solo piano, a lot of songs with piano accompaniment, sonatas, string quartets, music for orchestra (only one symphony) and his Piano Concerto in a minor, regarded as one of the best for the instrument and performed by the best musicians all over the world. Almost all his music is very influenced by Norwegian folk music. Grieg also gave concerts as pianist, performing on several of Europes most important concerthalls. His wife Nina Grieg was a singer and together with her he performed many of his songs on these concert tours. He died in his hometown of Bergen in 1907 after several years of serious illness.
Kjell Martinsen
Since 1965 his employment has been as a french horn player in the Staff Band of The Norwegian Defence Forces in Oslo. Before this, he played 6 years in theatre and for many years in The Norwegian Opera. He joined The Oslo Brass Quintet for 25 years and took part in a lot of recording sessions. He was conductor for The Eastern Region Band in Halden 1983-85 and 1988-90.
From 1998 to 2006 he was conductor for The Band of H.M. the Kings Guards in Oslo. Since 1985 he gives lectures in methods, ensemble and band managements at The Norwegian State Academy of Music and he has guest conducting in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and England. He is a well-recommended censor in major national and regional music competitions.
Downloads
A complete recording of this piece can be downloaded at this address:
www.noter.musikkonline.no or on itunes.com
