On this CD, violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing returns to her roots in this Grieg recital, joined by Simon Trpeski at the piano. Each of Edvard Griegs violin sonatas marks a decisive phase in the composer’s artistic development.
He completed the F major Sonata at the age of 22, while still trying to break free from the heady influences he had received during his training at the Leipzig conservatory. The work still bears the stamp of German romanticism, but it also includes references to Norwegian folk dances that were perceived as a breath of fresh air when the work was premièred.
Two years later, in 1867, Grieg had become deeply involved in the project of constructing a national culture, as part of the movement for an independent Norway. In his Sonata No. 2, he exploited national characteristics far more consistently than before and especially his Norwegian audience reacted with great enthusiasm.
Closing this disc, Eldbjørg Hemsing plays her own composition, “Homecoming”. It is a set of variations on a tune from the valley where she grew up, as well as a friendly nod to Grieg, who used the same tune almost 150 years ago in his large-scale Ballade Op. 24.
Here is Ms. Hemsing, playing the music of Bach:
Lovely – she’s so engrossed in the music! Stunning.
🙂 The power of Music!