Edvard Grieg (1843 - 1907)

Piano Sonata, Op. 7
Intermezzo in A Minor for Cello and Piano
Cello Sonata, Op. 36

Edvard Grieg, arguably the most popular composer ever to emerge from the Scandinavian peninsula, was born in Bergen, Norway, in 1843. His father was a rich merchant of Scottish descent, his mother a gifted poet and musician, who was principally responsible for recognising young Edvard's talent, and began giving him piano lessons when he was six years old. His progress was fairly spectacular, but more importantly he already showed a greater interest in experimenting with his own ideas than playing the music of others.

Edvard was a caring and sensitive child and, as is so often the case with the artistically prone, he endured a perfectly miserable schooling, being endlessly teased and derided for his interest in music. When he was fifteen, however, he was lucky enough to be granted an audience with the travelling violin virtuoso, Ole Bull, who