Peer Gynt (Grieg)
Incidental music for Ibsen's play, later two famous suites.
Peer Gynt, Op. Grieg later extracted movements from the score to create two orchestral suites, which became among his best-known works and have received coverage in popular culture.
- composer
- Edvard Grieg
- field
- Classical music
- nationality
- Norwegian
- known_for
- Peer Gynt incidental music and suites
Lore & Background
He wrote to a friend: 'Peer Gynt progresses slowly... It is a terribly unmanageable subject.' His wife Nina noted that as he immersed himself in the poem, he felt he was the right man for a work 'permeated with the Norwegian spirit.' The premiere was a 'triumphant success,' but Grieg complained that the theatre management dictated the duration and order of each number, forcing him to do 'patchwork' and resulting in brief pieces.
Reader's Guide
The original score of Peer Gynt, Op. 23, contains 26 movements across five acts, including songs and choral pieces. Grieg later extracted eight movements to form two four-movement suites: Suite No. 1, Op. 2, Op. A typical rendition of both suites lasts 20 to 35 minutes. The complete score was believed lost until the 1980s and has been performed in its entirety only since then. The music's significance lies in its vivid orchestration, with instruments representing Peer Gynt's travels, and its enduring presence in popular culture.
Did You Know?
- Grieg originally composed 90 minutes of orchestral music for the play.
- The complete score was believed lost until the 1980s.
- The second suite originally had a fifth number, The Dance of the Mountain King's Daughter, but Grieg withdrew it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Peer Gynt Suites?
After the full incidental score was performed, Grieg selected and rearranged several of its movements into two shorter orchestral suites. These condensed versions—featuring well-known pieces like "Morning Mood" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King"—are what most listeners encounter today.
Why is Peer Gynt so well-known?
The suites have permeated mainstream popular culture through film scores, advertising, and video games, making the melodies recognizable far beyond the classical-music world. Within the classical canon, the work is also prized for its vivid Norwegian folk influences and rich orchestral coloring.
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