12 Tremendous Composers 12 Composers    

Lesson 36: Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, Op. 46 - IV. In the Hall Of The Mountain King

by Edvard Grieg

Performer: Musopen Symphony

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Listen to the music daily.
• Read the synopsis.
• Review the vocabulary terms.
• Read about the composer.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

The fourth and final movement of Edvard Grieg's 'Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, Op. 46,' is entitled 'In the Hall of The Mountain King.' This music accompanies the scene from the play when mountain trolls capture Peer Gynt and bring him to meet their King in his great hall.

Vocabulary

Troll: A supernatural being of varying size, especially a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills or under bridges.

Composer

1. Edvard Grieg married his cousin Mina Hagerup, to whom he dedicated his famous song: 'I Love Thee.' But the mother of his bride did not think highly of him. 'He is a nobody,' Mina's mother said, 'who writes music that no one cares to listen to.' Here is a picture of Edvard and Mina Grieg in their later years.

2. But people were beginning to listen. After a concert in Christiania, entirely of Norwegian music, the Government gave Grieg a small pension and he went to Rome. Here he had a fine meeting with Franz Liszt who asked Grieg to play. Then Liszt took Grieg's manuscript and played it at sight, to his great delight.
3. When Grieg bade goodbye to Franz Liszt the famous pianist said to him: 'Keep on, you have talent and ability. Do not let anyone discourage or frighten you.'
4. So sensitive was Grieg about music writing that he never allowed anyone to watch him. So he had a little house built in the mountains where he could work at his leisure. This he called his 'tune house.' There was only one room and it was for all the world like a little play house that children have. In it was his piano and often when he was playing, the Norwegian peasants used to group themselves outside the door, sometimes joining in the singing, and then again dancing to their delightful folk tunes and dances. See Grieg's tune house.

5. Here is a picture of Grieg as he looked in later years.

6. As a boy in Leipzig he worked too hard and sickness made it necessary for him to return home. From this sickness he never fully recovered. All his life he was frail and unable to endure severe tasks.
7. In appearance, Grieg was short and rather bent in figure. His hands were thin, but fine and strong for the piano, although one of them had been crushed in an accident. His eyes were deep blue. They looked straight at you and were full of life and kindness.
8. Grieg was merry of nature; a lovely companion, full of fun and company. Sometimes, however, he was sad and melancholy like his own music. Here is Grieg with composer Percy Grainger, Grieg's wife, and composer Julius Röntgen.

9. Someday you will learn the names of many of his compositions. And among them you will love such pieces as The Birds, In Spring Time, Arietta, the Peer Gynt Music, the Piano Sonata, the Piano and Violin Sonata, and lots of lively Norwegian dances and tunes. Indeed, he has composed many compositions which you will number among your favorite pieces.
10. Three great names stand out more than all others in the musical history of Scandinavia. You have learned two, Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull. The other is Jenny Lind, known as 'the Swedish nightingale,' who was loved not only for her wonderful voice but for her kindness and noble nature. She was born at Stockholm in 1820 and died in England in 1887. In Sweden to this day Jennie Lind is a great national personage. The people look upon her as we would on Washington, Irving, Lincoln or Longfellow. She was very beautiful.
11. Here is Jenny Lind's picture.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Composition Information

• Recite the name of the composer and the composition.

Activity 2: Study the Music Timeline

Examine the music timeline to answer the following questions.

• What is the year of birth of the lesson composer?
• What is the year of death of the featured composer?
• How old was the composer upon death?
• Which composer (if any) directly precedes the studied composer by date of birth?
• Which composer (if any) directly succeeds the lesson composer by date of birth?
• Which other timeline composers were alive at the same time as the studied composer?

Activity 3: Map the Music

• Jenny Lind, a Swedish singer, was another acclaimed artist in Scandinavian music history.
• Find Sweden on the map of Europe.

Activity 4: Read Aloud Your Paper About Edvard Grieg

• Read your one-page story about Edvard Grieg to your family.
• Make any corrections, as needed, after reading the paper aloud.

Review

Question 1

What famous song did Edvard Grieg dedicate to his wife, Mina Hagerup?

1 / 6

Answer 1

Edvard Grieg dedicated 'I Love Thee' to his wife, Mina Hagerup.

1 / 6

Question 2

Tell about Edvard Grieg's visit to Franz Liszt in Rome.

2 / 6

Answer 2

Franz Liszt played Edvard Grieg's composition at sight. Liszt complimented Grieg's talent and encouraged him to continue with his music.

2 / 6

Question 3

Tell what you know about Edvard Grieg's personal appearance.

3 / 6

Answer 3

Edvard Grieg was short and rather bent. His hands were thin, but fine and strong. His eyes were deep blue and full of kindness.

3 / 6

Question 4

When did Edvard Grieg die? How old was he?

4 / 6

Answer 4

Edvard Grieg died in 1907 at the age of 64.

4 / 6

Question 5

Who was Jenny Lind?

5 / 6

Answer 5

Jenny Lind, known as 'the Swedish nightingale,' was a famous Scandinavian singer.

5 / 6

Question 6

Reflect on the composers and compositions studied this year. Who was your favorite composer? Which was your favorite composition? Explain your choices.

6 / 6

Answer 6

Answers vary.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. What famous song did Edvard Grieg dedicate to his wife, Mina Hagerup? Edvard Grieg dedicated 'I Love Thee' to his wife, Mina Hagerup.
2. Tell about Edvard Grieg's visit to Franz Liszt in Rome. Franz Liszt played Edvard Grieg's composition at sight. Liszt complimented Grieg's talent and encouraged him to continue with his music.
3. Tell what you know about Edvard Grieg's personal appearance. Edvard Grieg was short and rather bent. His hands were thin, but fine and strong. His eyes were deep blue and full of kindness.
4. When did Edvard Grieg die? How old was he? Edvard Grieg died in 1907 at the age of 64.
5. Who was Jenny Lind? Jenny Lind, known as 'the Swedish nightingale,' was a famous Scandinavian singer.
6. Reflect on the composers and compositions studied this year. Who was your favorite composer? Which was your favorite composition? Explain your choices. Answers vary.

References

Tapper, Thomas. Edvard Grieg - The Story of the Boy Who Made Music in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Philadelphia, PA. Theodore Presser Co., 1921.

'In the Hall of the Mountain King.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.