Composer

:

Edvard Grieg

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1901

Publication Date

:

1901

Average_duration

:

4:11

'Once upon a time, Op. 71/1' is a piano piece composed by Edvard Grieg in 1901. It is the first movement of his 'Lyric Pieces, Book X', which consists of six pieces. The premiere of the piece was in Leipzig, Germany, on October 28, 1901, with Grieg himself playing the piano. The piece is characterized by its dreamy and nostalgic atmosphere, which is conveyed through its slow tempo, gentle dynamics, and delicate phrasing. The opening melody is played in the right hand, accompanied by a simple arpeggio in the left hand. The melody is then repeated with slight variations, and the arpeggio becomes more complex, creating a sense of development and progression. The middle section of the piece features a more dramatic and passionate melody, played in the left hand, while the right hand provides a flowing accompaniment. This section builds to a climax before returning to the opening melody, which is now played with more ornamentation and embellishment. The piece ends with a gentle coda, in which the opening melody is played once more, this time with a more subdued and introspective character. The piece fades away into silence, leaving the listener with a sense of wistful nostalgia. Overall, 'Once upon a time, Op. 71/1' is a beautiful and evocative piece of music, which showcases Grieg's skill as a composer of lyrical and expressive piano music. Its dreamy and nostalgic atmosphere makes it a popular choice for recitals and concerts, and it remains one of Grieg's most beloved works.

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