Rockin' Classics
Edvard Grieg
Edvard Hagerup Grieg (15 June 1843 – 4 September 1907) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is widely considered one of the leading Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide. His use of Norwegian folk music in his own compositions brought the music of Norway to fame, as well as helping to develop a national identity, much as Jean Sibelius did in Finland and Bedřich Smetana in Bohemia.
Grieg is the most celebrated person from the city of Bergen, with numerous statues that depict his image and many cultural entities named after him: the city's largest concert building (Grieg Hall), its most advanced music school (Grieg Academy) and its professional choir (Edvard Grieg Kor). The Edvard Grieg Museum at Grieg's former home, Troldhaugen, is dedicated to his legacy.
by the Parliament of Poland to research and promote his life and works. It hosts the International Chopin Piano Competition, a prestigious competition worldwide. His style is "characterized by colorful harmonies, captivating rhythms, virtuosity, improvisations, and sensuous melodies".
Source : Wikipedia
Grieg in 1888
Born : 15 June 1843, Bergen, Sweden-Norway
Died : 4 September 1907, Bergen, Norway
Edvard Grieg
In the Hall of the Mountain King
(I Dovregubbens hall)
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: IV. movement
Performed by Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan ·
The Who
In the Hall of the Mountain King
From the album "Who Sell Out" as bonus track. The track is originally recorded in 1967. This version released in 1995.
This is a rendition of the piece in The Who style adaptation of the piece.
Egg
Symphony No. 2 - First Movement
From the album "Egg".
Released on 13 March 1970.
There is a short interpretation of "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (01:06 min).
Beggars Opera
Raymonds Road
From the album "Act One"
Released in 1970.
"Raymond's Road" is a lengthy instrumental collage of classical pieces. Parade of classical pieces begin with Mozart’s “Rondò alla Turca” ( 01:07) and followed by “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” (01:47) by Bach, “Rondò alla Turca” (06:52) again, a long interpretation of Sibelius’ “Karelia Suite” (07:03) and Rossini’s “William Tell ouvrture” (09:28). Song closes with “In the Hall of the Mountain King” (10:10) by Grieg.
Electric Light Orchestra
In the Hall of the Mountain King
From the album "On The Third Day"
Released in November 1973
An adaptation of the piece.
Rick Wakeman
Journey to the Center of the Earth
From the album "Journey to the Center of the Earth"
Released on 3 May 1974.
"The Forest" part of the composition includes an excerpt of "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg, at around 35.08 minute.
Aunt Mary
In the Hall of the Mountain King
From the album "The Best of"
Released in 1974
A rendition of the piece performed heavily by Hammond organ.
Shaggy
Lessons for Beginners
From the album "Lessons for Beginners"
Released in 1975.
The song incorporates short heavy interpretations of three classical pieces.
Song begins with guitar riffs of Albeniz' piano piece "Asturias". Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from Peer Gynt Suite is at around 00:47 min. Conclusion is with Johannes Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No.5" at 01:23 min.
Themes appear several times until the end of the song.
Savatage
Prelude to Madness, Hall of the Mountain King
From the album "Hall of the Mountain King"
Released on 28 September 1987.
The intro of "Prelude to Madness" features keyboards and guitar playing of "Mars, the Bringer of War" from Gustav Holst's suite, The Planets.
The song is an arrangement of Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from the Peer Gynt suite.
Buon Vecchio Cahrlie
Venite Giu Al Fiume
From the album "Buon Vecchio Cahrlie"
Released in 1990.
Main theme of composition is used several times starting from 00:23.
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
Hall of the Mountain King
From the album "Stranger in Us All"
Released on 21 August 1995
Lucifer Was
The Green Pearl
From the album "Underground and Beyond"
Released in 1997.
"Green Pearl" is a harder-edged rendition of Grieg's composition.
Saga
In the Hall of the Mountain King
From the album "Detours"
Released in 1999.
A heavy rendition of Grieg's composition in live album.
Blondie
No Exit
From the album "No Exit"
Released on 15 February 1999.
The song starts with an interpolation of Johann Sebastian Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" and interpolates Edvard Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (02:13 min).
Edvard Grieg
Solveig's Song
(Solvejgs Sang)
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: IV. Solveig's Song
Performed by Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan ·
Emerson Lake and Palmer
Pictures at an Exhibition
From the live album "Pictures at an Exhibiıion"
Released in November 1971.
The album features the Emerson Lake and Palmer's rock adaptation of "Pictures at an Exhibition" performed at Newcastle City Hall on 26 March 1971.
The band's arrangement of the suite uses only four of the ten parts in Mussorgsky's suite, along with the linking "Promenade" sections. The suite was performed live as one continuous piece, with new, group-written sections linking Mussorgsky's original themes.
However, "The Sage", 4th part of the adaptation is a new picture drawn by Lake solely on acoustic guitar, based on the "Solveig's Song" part of "Peer Gynt Suite", in the mood of a medieval minnesang,
Edvard Grieg
Morning Mood
(Morgenstemning)
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: I. Morning Mood
Performed by Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan ·
Jay and the Americans
Dawning
From the album "Come A Little Bit Closer: The Best of Jay and the Americans"
Released in 1991.
The rock and roll cover of the composition by Jay and the Americans was recorded in 1962.
Edvard Grieg
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: I. Allegro molto moderato
Krystian Zimerman · Berliner Philharmoniker · Herbert von Karajan
Rick Wakeman
Swan Lager
From the album "Rhapsodies"
Released in May 1979.
Piano intro of the song is a sample from the opening tune of Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A Minor, First Movement". The music is also taken Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".