Holberg Suite

5 movement

It exemplifies nineteenth century music which makes use of musical styles and forms from the
preceding century.

The movements of the suite are:

1. Praeludium (Allegro vivace)
2. Sarabande (Andante)
3. Gavotte (Allegretto)
4. Air (Andante religioso)
5. Rigaudon (Allegro con brio)

The Holberg Suite was originally composed for the piano, but a year later was adapted by Grieg
himself for string orchestra. The suite consists of an introduction and a set of dances. It is an
early essay in neoclassicism, an attempt to echo as much as was known in Grieg's time of the
music of Holberg's era.[1]

“Holberg Suite” was written in 1884 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of
Ludvig Holberg-founder of Danish literature. Grieg called his composition From Holberg’s
Time  and chose to use musical forms that were contemporary with Holberg. The prelude to
this charming suite is followed by three graceful classical dances including the Sarabande,
Gavotte, and Musette. An emotional Air with strong Nordic coloring succeeds the dances.
The suite concludes with a boisterous Rigaudon rather than the traditional dignified dances of
later times. Grieg’s fusion of the old forms with the new Romantic vein of musical writing
could be regarded as a forerunner to the neoclassical movement.

Many composers have unashamedly looked to the past for musical inspiration: think of
Prokofiev with his Classical Symphony, Stravinsky’s Baroque-inspired Pulcinella Suite
and this, Grieg’s From Holberg’s Time – Suite in the Olden Style, to give it its most
accurate title.

Now always referred to as the Holberg Suite, it eschews the Romantic conventions of its day,
instead harking back to the classical-era playwright Ludvig Holberg, who, like Grieg, was
born in the city of Bergen.

Composed to mark the 200th anniversary of Holberg’s birth, the work opens with a sprightly,
energetic Praeludium, followed by a more introspective Sarabande, a rather polite Gavotte, a
stately Air and, finally, a boisterous Rigaudon. It was originally composed for piano – an
instrument in front of which Grieg was always at home – but was later turned into an
orchestral suite by the composer. It’s this arrangement that is by far the most often heard
today.

First performed in its original piano version by Grieg himself at the Bergen Holberg
celebration in December 1884, the work was very well received, which probably explains
Grieg’s decision to transcribe it for orchestra so soon after. Although not so well known as
his mighty Piano Concerto or the lyrical Peer Gynt Suites, this is supremely crafted music
which drives home Grieg’s status as one of Europe’s most important Romantic composers.

Grieg's Holberg Suite

Inspired Baroque Dances
Grieg's Holberg Suite is a collection of delightfully fresh baroque-style dances, inspired
by a famous 17th century Norwegian playwright.

The Suite is actually called "From Holberg's Time". Grieg created it as a personal tribute
for the 200th anniversary of Ludwig Holberg.

Sarabande
The Sarabande begins at 2:34, and this movement hails directly from the Baroque-style
dance. The peaceful mood contrasts with the energetic Praeludium as the strings sing with
beautiful, chorale-like harmonies. Listen for the melodic motif that happens from 2:45-2:47;
it dances its way throughout the movement. A soaring cello solo at 3:44 gracefully turns into
a duet at 3:55, and listen to the gorgeous Classical/Romantic mix of harmonies from 4:14-
4:28!

Gavotte
The third movement (6:20), an aristocratic Gavotte, uses elements from the previous
movements to transition into the last half of the piece. It opens with a lilting dance rhythm
that utilizes the harmonies in the Sarabande and the joy of the Praeludium. A fun melodic
conversation happens from 7:33-7:48 starting with the cellos and going up into the high
violins. The movement is also full of pizzicato and syncopation, which all adds to the
lightness of the sound.

Bibliography
https://www.classicfm.com/composers/grieg/music/holberg-suite/

https://kcballet.org/repertory/holberg-suite/

http://www.favorite-classical-composers.com/holberg-suite.html

https://www.dubuquesymphony.org/assets/img/uploads/pdf/Program_Notes_CL2_2017.pdf

https://pianistmusings.com/2018/05/15/holberg-suite-edvard-grieg/