HAVARD GIMSE / Grieg Folk Dances and Songs

Havard is a brilliant young musician who has established himself as one of Europe’s leading international pianists. His numerous awards and accolades include the European piano competition, the Steinway Prize and the prestigious Grieg Prize.

In this, his second album for The Naim Label, he plays the Folk Dances and Songs by Norway’s greatest composer, Grieg.

Simplicity and nationalism are the main characteristics of Grieg’s music, which has been described as “painting with notes”. The Folk Dances and Songs capture characteristics of Norway such as the peaceful nature of the country and the culture and soul of the Norwegian people. Grieg’s music was always pure, charming, graceful, lyrical and emotionally passionate, reflecting his love of his country.

Håvard interprets the Folk Dances and Songs on this disc with warmth, passion and vitality in equal measure. Ken Christianson recorded this disc live and direct onto two-track tape, providing yet another opportunity from The Naim Label to hear a winning combination of musical and technical talent.

Grieg: Folk Dances – Opus 17
1. Norwegian Dance – Opus 17/1 0:50
2. The Wooer’s Song – Opus 17/10 1:21
3. Cattle Call – Opus 17/22 1:04
4. Dance from Jolster – Opus 17/5 1:24
5. Solfager and Ormekongon – Opus 17/12 1:53
6. Did you see my old Woman? – Opus 17/23 1:01
7. Bridal Tune – Opus 17/24 0:57
8. Holje Dale – Opus 17/19 1:19
9. Halling – Opus 17/7 1:00
10. The pig – Opus 17/8 0:54
11. Cheerful Tune – Opus 17/18 1:38
Grieg: Songs – Opus 41
12. Cradle Song – Opus 41/1 3:14
13. My Love she was so Pure – Opus 41/4 1:30
14. To Springtime my Song I Utter – Opus 41/6 2:25
Grieg: Norwegian Peasant Dances – Opus 72
15. Wedding March of the Goblins – Opus 72/14 2:42
16. Havar Giböen’s Dream – Opus 72/15 1:32
17. Wedding March after Myllarguten – Opus 72/8 4:14
18. Rotnamsnut from Hallingdal – Opus 72/7 4:44
19. The Maidens from Kivle – Opus 72/16 2:06
20. Jon Vaestafae’s Spring Dance – Opus72/2 2:07
Grieg: Songs – Opus 52
21. A Mother’s Grief – Opus 52/1 3:48
22. The First Meeting – Opus 52/2 3:39
23. The Poet’s Heart – Opus 52/3 1:39
Grieg: Norwegian Folk Songs – Opus 66
24. Cow Call – Opus 66/1 1:36
25. Lullaby – Opus 66/7 0:58
26. Call – Opus 66/8 1:04
27. Ranveig – Opus 66/12 0:24
28. In Ola Valley, In Ola Lake – Opus 66/14 2:25
29. Lullaby – Opus 66/15 2:28
30. I Wander Deep in Thought – Opus 66/18 5:14
31. Gjendine’s Lullaby – Opus 66/19 1:34
Total Time: 63:00