Grieg’s Masterpieces and Popular Works: Pieces That Evoke the Nature of Norway
Edvard Grieg, who drew inspiration from Norwegian folk music, gained recognition as a composer of the national romantic school.
He left behind numerous masterpieces, and his name has continued to resonate long after his death.
Many of Grieg’s works are beautiful pieces that evoke Norway’s rich natural landscapes.
In this article, we introduce some of Grieg’s famous and popular works.
From piano pieces and songs to orchestral and wind band music, his output spans many genres.
Whether you’re familiar with classical music or not, we encourage you to experience his music at least once!
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- [Morning Songs] Masterpieces themed around morning. Popular songs.
- Elgar’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
- Highlighting the masterpieces and popular works of Mikhail Glinka, the pioneering composer of Russian music
- Masterpieces that sing of the stars. Star songs that resonate in the heart, best heard beneath the night sky.
- A masterpiece by Richard Wagner. Popular classical music.
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- Handel’s Masterpieces | A Comprehensive Introduction to His Popular Works
- Mendelssohn’s Masterpieces | Popular Classical Music
- Gabriel Fauré | Introduction to His Famous and Representative Works
- Song of the Wind: A masterpiece themed around the wind. Popular songs [2026]
- Masterpieces by Gustav Mahler. Popular classical music.
- Mussorgsky’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
Grieg’s Masterpieces and Popular Works: Pieces That Evoke the Nature of Norway (41–50)
waltzEdvard Grieg
One piece from Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, in which his rich lyricism is fully displayed and which became one of his signature works.
As the title suggests, it is written in the waltz rhythm of 3/4 time.
It’s best to play with a clear sense of the three beats so that one could dance a waltz to it.
Grieg, a pianist-composer who represents Norway, wrote many works that carry a certain nostalgic, folk-like character.
This piece, too, is an appealing work in which a folk-inflected melody is exquisitely interwoven with the social dance rhythm of the “waltz.”
From Lyric Pieces, Book VIII: Wedding Day at TroldhaugenEdvard Grieg
The piece begins with a light, cheerful rhythm.
The joy of the wedding is so great that the couple seems ready to break into a little dance together.
The middle section grows quiet, but the bright rhythm returns.
In the end, you can almost hear thunderous applause all around.
It’s a piece that makes you so happy while listening that you can’t help but smile.
Lyric Pieces, Book 10, Op. 71: No. 3 “Puck”Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, Book X, Op.
71 No.
3 “Puck” (1901) is a solo piano work with a fantastical atmosphere.
The piece conveys the folklore and natural beauty born of Norway’s landscape, and its sound is accessible even to lower elementary school children.
When practicing, keep a light touch with an image of a dancing sprite, and pay close attention to pedaling and rhythmic precision.
Studying this as a competition piece will help you experience the depth of music and the joy of piano performance.
Lyric Pieces No.10-2 “Summer Evening”Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg’s masterpiece Lyric Pieces, Book 10 No.
2 “Evening in Summer.” As the title suggests, it’s a work shaped by a delicate tone that evokes a summer evening, yet interestingly, some phrases feature melodies reminiscent of jazz.
This modern flavor likely stems from the nationalist school rooted in Norwegian folk music, which formed Grieg’s musical foundation.
It’s a highly emotional piece, so I hope you’ll enjoy it—perhaps with your graduation album in hand.
Lyric Pieces, Book I, Op. 12 “Arietta”Edvard Grieg
As its name suggests, Edvard Grieg’s Lyric Pieces is a collection of lyrical, beautiful works—a set of 66 short pieces for piano.
It is divided into ten books, with Arietta placed at the very beginning of Book I.
The year Book I was published, 1867, was also the year Grieg married his wife, Nina Hagerup.
About 34 years later, the final piece of Book X, Afterglow, brings the collection to a close by presenting a variation on the motif from Arietta.
Lyric Pieces, Book III, Op. 43: No. 1, “Butterfly”Edvard Grieg
Among the works of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, one of the most popular is his collection of 66 piano miniatures, Lyric Pieces.
Published in ten volumes, this set vividly reflects both Grieg’s musical genius and Norway’s cultural background.
Butterfly, included in the Third Volume, is notable for its light and delicate melody.
It evokes the beauty of a fluttering butterfly and the vitality of spring, richly stirring the listener’s imagination.
With recordings of Grieg’s own performances preserved, this piece conveys his artistic vision along with its refined sonorities.
Lyric Pieces, Book III, Op. 43, No. 4: “Little Bird”Edvard Grieg
Among the 66 pieces included in the Lyric Pieces, Little Bird is a work that captivates with Edvard Grieg’s characteristically beautiful melody and delicate atmosphere.
Its melody, carried by a light rhythm, seems to echo the chirping of a small bird.
The bright, hope-filled mood that evokes the coming of spring is sure to soothe the listener’s heart.
Conveying a love of nature, this piece is perfect for developing expressive skills in the course of learning the piano.