New-York tribune., 1897-08-15

NATIONALIST IN MUSIC.
Here followo,h the second disquisition upon
TIE music of Edward Hagerup Griegg:
GreS has made few excursions into the do
main Of the orchestra Of the larger choral
forms His first orchestral work is a concert
overture. op. II but this is simply an elabora-
tO1. apparently, Of an earlier fantasia for two
performers on the pianoforte. based on one of
his songs. "HerbStsturm" Much more success
fu! is his music to accompany Ibsens drama.
Peer Gynt" He has collected the various
pieces Of entr'act music into two suites. of
which the first has been for several years
highly popular number in orchestral concerts
These short pieces are frankly pictorial in their
purpose, as many of his works large
"nc small, and strive to reach no very high
plane; but they are 50 clear-cut in their illus
tratlFe power so striking. so cleverly scored
tn At they never fail Of their effect. There are
also tHO melodies for string orchestra: but these
too. are merely transcHptons Of two OF the
composers early songs OF his choral com
positions the only one which can be said to be
familiar to American audiences is the Land
sighting" a short male chorus of immense vgor
and muscularty, deservedly ranking with
GrieG's most successful productions
The most ambitious OF Gricg's compositions
Is the piano concerto, op. 16, a brilliant work
which has engaged the attention Of some OF the
strongest modern panists It has no great
depth Of musical significance, though it has
some beautiful traits The quartet for strings
op. -, holds an active place in the repertory of
chamber music organizations, and is a work OF
undCubted power and invention; but it likewise
Is not one that be accepted without many
reservations. The composer seems quite to have
neglected thought Of making it in the true quar-
tot sty!e-"quartcttmassig," as the Germans
phrase it-and in many places he has pushed to
an extreme his fantastic prediction for harsh
effects and combinations that the string quar-
tet is. perhaps, Of all instrumental apparatus
the least competent to make tell. He has made
several attempts in the sonata FORM and with
widely differing measure Of success. His piano
forte sonata, op 4. is by means a work Of
high distinction. though it contains many beau
tiiui IDEAS that have commended it to amateurs
but it shows failure that some Of his other
works in the sonata form show, to grasp the
full power that the form affords to him who
works within its lines Much more successful
are the three sonatas for violin and piano, op
6. Is and A. The second especially is one OF
the compietest products Of his genius, and Is
one OF those in which he has given the most
Intense expression to his feeling for national
color 1t Is triumphant example Of how such
resources can be used in the more elaborate
forms Of art with complete success and with
a sincerity that carries conviction The sonata.
op. :, shows little intention to make this in
fuence felt. But there is a certain exuberance
and flow Of invention in this work that Grieg
has not often surpassed.
Griegs art has always It's greatest sue
cesses in the smaller forms. He is distinctively
q miniaturist. whose best achievements have
made some OF the most delightful additions to
the modern repertory; but the limitation i'm
piled therein is continually felt in his efforts at
more extended flights. His songs and some Of
his pianoforte pieces for two and four hands
have won permanent place. apparently, in
the hearts of music-lovers. The several books
Of lyric pieces; the genial sketches, Aus dem
Volksleben," op. 10. containing the popular
Norwegian wedding march; the Album
Leaves" op. 2S; the suite. Aus Holbergs
Zeit.' op. 40; the noble and deeply felt sym
phOniC pieces op. II, for two players on the
IianolOrte, and the dainty and original Waltz
caprices," Op. 81 for the same arrangement,
have charmed multitude Of music-lovers. Here.
too. should be named the book Of delightful
little prescriptions of "Northcrn Dances and
Folk Songs" Op. II. apparently taken down
straight from the lips Of the people themselves.
and arranged and harmonic "a in way to pre-
serve all their naIyetG. Into his songs GrcG
has put much of the quality Characteristic Of
his genius at its very best. In many Of them
there is an indescribable charm. haunting
sadness and tenderness that are altogether in
diyidual; ana it may be that upon them will
rest the suiost foundation Of q lasting fame for
CrIegs musicianship. Such songs Mar
q, li,4I L.