Edvard Grieg: Holberg Suite, Ballade & Lyric Pieces

by Andrey Gugnin

Overview

Claude Debussy famously called one of Grieg's pieces "a pink bonbon that could be filled with snow," but there may have been some anxiety of influence at work there; Grieg influenced Debussy a good deal. A fine performance like this one brings out the ways. This 2024 release reached classical best-seller lists, and one track from Book Three of the Lyric Pieces ("Erotikon," naturally enough) achieved a measure of virality on streaming media. Given his Russian-school origins, one might not expect pianist Andrey Gugnin to deliver the precise, restrained readings heard here, but his big Ballade, Op. 24, has every note in place, with even the climactic variations toward the end somewhat reined in. Gugnin plays the original piano version of the Holberg Suite, Op. 40, and in his hands, the neoclassical movement in music seems almost foreordained. His Lyric Pieces are perfectly detailed little pictures without a bit of sentiment. Gugnin plays a Bechstein piano, an inspired choice for his small, subtle readings, with no wash of Steinway sound. This is a terrific collection of familiar Grieg works that runs counter to many and shows what is best in his music. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	05/10/2024
Label:	HYPERION
UPC:	0034571284248

Tracks

1. Holberg Suite Op. 40~Praeludium: Allegro vivace
2. Holberg Suite Op. 40~Sarabande: Andante
3. Holberg Suite Op. 40~Gavotte: Allegretto
4. Holberg Suite Op. 40~Air: Andante religioso
5. Holberg Suite Op. 40~Rigaudon: Allegro con brio
6. Lyric Pieces Book 7 Op. 62~No. 1: Sylph (Sylfide)
7. Lyric Pieces Book 7 Op. 62~No. 2: Gratitude (Takk)
8. Lyric Pieces Book 7 Op. 62~No. 3: French serenade (Fransk serenade)
9. Lyric Pieces Book 7 Op. 62~No. 4: Brooklet (Bekken)
10. Lyric Pieces Book 7 Op. 62~No. 5: Phantom (Drømmesyn)
11. Lyric Pieces Book 7 Op. 62~No. 6: Homeward (Hjemad)
12. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Theme: Andante espressivo
13. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 1: Poco meno andante, ma molto tranquillo
14. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 2: Allegro agitato
15. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 3: Adagio
16. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 4: Allegro capriccioso
17. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 5: Più lento
18. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 6: Allegro scherzando
19. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 7: L'istesso tempo
20. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 8: Lento
21. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 9: Un poco andante
22. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 10: Un poco allegro e alla burla
23. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 11: Più animato
24. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 12: Meno allegro e maestoso
25. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 13: Allegro furioso
26. Ballade in the form of variations on a Norwegian melody in G minor Op. 24~Variation 14: Prestissimo - Andante espressivo
27. Lyric Pieces Book 3 Op. 43~No. 1: Butterfly (Sommerfugl)
28. Lyric Pieces Book 3 Op. 43~No. 2: Solitary traveller (Ensom vandrer)
29. Lyric Pieces Book 3 Op. 43~No. 3: In my native country (I hjemmet)
30. Lyric Pieces Book 3 Op. 43~No. 4: Little bird (Småfugl)
31. Lyric Pieces Book 3 Op. 43~No. 5: Erotikon (Erotikk)
32. Lyric Pieces Book 3 Op. 43~No. 6: To spring (Til våren)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Andrey Gugnin   Primary Artist,Piano

Technical Credits

Simon Perry   Producer,Executive Producer
Andrew Keener   Recording Producer,Producer
Jeremy Nicholas   Liner Notes
Viola Scheffel   Liner Note Translation
Ben Connellan   Recording,Engineer
Todd Harris   Booklet Editor
Edvard Grieg   Composer
Masha Kushnir   Photography
Marcin Brzozka   Piano Technician
Marie-Stella Paris   Liner Note Translation
Nikolai Astrup   Cover Illustration