Before Edvard Grieg became Norway’s main musical man, there was a guy named Rikard Nordraak who was in the running for the position. Nordraak is the composer of the Norwegian national anthem, but sadly died when he was only 23, leaving behind only a handful of works. Saddened by the sudden and untimely death of his friend (they were only born a year apart), Grieg wrote a Funeral March in his honor. He was so fond of the work that he asked it to be played at his own funeral (which it was.) This slow, heavy music can help to express and relieve the pain that we feel when someone we love dies too soon.

Does Norway have a 4th of July? Yes, but they call it “May 17th.”

Fun Fact #1: Scandinavia has way more heavy metal bands per capita than anywhere else in the world.

Edvard Grieg is unquestionably Norway’s most iconic composer. When he was born, Norway was a very poor country – in the eyes of mainland Europeans, it was the sticks, full of country bumpkins and fishermen (and burnt-out Vikings). Grieg helped forge a national identity through his marvelous music, which often incorporated Norwegian folk songs and legends. He only wrote one concerto, but it was and is so popular that quite frankly he didn’t need to write another one. The Piano Concerto in A minor incorporates some traditional Norwegian dances, as well as some less-traditional Nordic heavy metal. Just listen to the opening – is that not totally metal?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctuKi7QwcM

Fun Fact #2: Grieg’s melodic phrases are almost invariably four-measures long. (hmm, I suppose that’s not as fun as fact #1 …)

Those Norwegians know their Spring! This virtuosic piece by Norwegian composer Christian Sinding is a favorite “show-off” piece among pianists.