Conductor, Ian Whyte

Holberg, in whose honour Grieg wrote the 'Holberg' Suite, although a Norwegian by birth, did most of his important literary and dramatic work for Denmark, and is regarded as the real founder of Danish literature. The first movement of Grieg's Suite is a Prelude, and the second, a Sarabande. in which the melody, in spite of its old-fashioned guise, is eminently typical of the composer and Norway. A Gavotte follows, beginning with the same three notes as the Sarabande. in different rhythm; there is a Musette, after which the Gavotte returns. The fourth movement has an air of solemn, even religious, import. and a merry Rigoudon brings the Suite to an end in the best of spirits.