Paul Crossley writes “Choosing a group of Grieg Lyric Pieces is not easy – they are that good. Even when I had recorded them, there were more than would fit on one CD, so ‘culling them’ was even worse”.
“I did, however, set myself some parameters. The whole collection, of 66 pieces, starts with Arietta and ends with Nachklänge, an extraordinary re-working of the first piece by the master at the end of his creative life, something I think he would not have done unless he intended the Lyric Pieces to be considered as a whole – a marvellous journey, a diary,. in a way an autobiography. Wedding Day at Troldhaugen suggests that – Troldhaugen being the Grieg’s home outside Bergen and the ‘wedding day’ their silver wedding celebrations.”
“The pieces were published as 10 separate books, so I wanted to include at least one piece from each (if I seem to favour Book 3 Op. 43, it does have some of the best!), and I have listed the pieces in chronological order – with Wedding Day in the centre – because there is a distinct emotional journey to be followed. Other than that…’these are a few of my favourite things”
Book 1, Op. 12 (1867)
1. No. 1, Arietta
2. No. 2, Waltzer
Book 2, Op.38 (1883)
3. No. 1, Berceuse
Book 3, Op. 43 (1886)
4. No. 1, Schmetterling – Butterfly
5. No. 2, Einsamer Wanderer – Solitary Wanderer
6. No. 4, Vöglein – Little Bird
7. No. 5, Erotik – Erotic
8. No. 6, An den Frühling – To Spring
Book 4, Op. 47 (1887)
9. No. 2, Albumblatt – Album Leaf
10. No 4, Norwegischer Tanz – Fling Dance
Book 5, Op. 54 (1891)
11. No. 1, Hirtenknabe – Shepherd Boy
12. No. 4, Notturno
13. No. 5, Scherzo
Book 6, Op.57 (1893)
14. No. 6, Heimweh – Home Sickness
Book 7, Op.62 (1895)
15. No. 5, Traumgesicht – Vision
Book 8, Op. 65 (1896)
16. No. 5, Im Balladenton – Ballad
17. No. 6, Hochzeitstag auf Troldhaugen – Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
Book 9, Op. 68 (1898)
18. No. 3, Zu deinen Füssen – At Your Feet
19. No. 4, Abend im Hochgebirge – Evening in the Mountains
20. No. 5, An der Wiege – By the Cradle
Book 10, Op. 71 (1901)
21. No. 1, Es war einmal – Once upon a Time
22. No. 3, Kobold – Pluck
23. No. 4, Waldesstille – Peace of the Woods
24. No. 7, Nachklänge – Remembrances
