Composer

:

Edvard Grieg

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1898 - 1899

Publication Date

:

1899

Average_duration

:

7:35

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Edvard Grieg's 'Lyric Pieces' is a collection of 66 short piano pieces that were composed over a period of 30 years. The collection is divided into ten books, each containing between six and nine pieces. 'Lyric Pieces (2)' is the fourth book of the collection and contains 8 pieces. Two of the most popular pieces from this book are 'Op. 68/4' and 'Op. 68/5'. 'Op. 68/4' is titled 'Evening in the Mountains' and was composed in 1899. It is a slow and peaceful piece that captures the serene beauty of a mountain landscape at dusk. The piece is in the key of G major and is marked 'Andantino'. The melody is simple and lyrical, with a gentle accompaniment that evokes the sound of a flowing stream. The piece is characterized by its use of pedal, which creates a dreamy and atmospheric effect. The dynamics are mostly soft, with occasional crescendos that add to the emotional intensity of the piece. 'Op. 68/5' is titled 'At the Cradle' and was also composed in 1899. It is a lullaby that is meant to be played softly and gently, as if soothing a baby to sleep. The piece is in the key of E major and is marked 'Andante'. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a rocking rhythm that mimics the motion of a cradle. The accompaniment is also gentle, with a soft arpeggio pattern that creates a peaceful atmosphere. The piece is characterized by its use of rubato, which allows the performer to stretch and compress the tempo to create a more expressive performance. Both pieces are typical of Grieg's style, which is characterized by his use of folk melodies and his ability to capture the natural beauty of his native Norway. The 'Lyric Pieces' collection as a whole is considered to be one of Grieg's most important contributions to the piano repertoire, and has been widely performed and recorded by pianists around the world.

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