I had two different pieces lined up for today, depending on the outcome of the election. I have to admit that I really didn’t expect to be playing this one. We humans are strange indeed. If you’re happy with the election results, congratulations. If you’re saddened, music can be healing. This short piece of incidental music by Edvard Grieg speaks directly to the sore heart. Like most of the other movements of his Peer Gynt suite, it uses a simple four-measure melody that repeats a lot. The simplicity is refreshing, though – sometimes you just don’t have the energy to get involved with a long musical narrative.

Remember that humans are capable of creating things of beauty.

(Aase is Peer Gynt‘s mother.)