Backer Grøndahl Piano Works

performed by Sara Aimée Smitseth. Born in Oslo, Norway, she pursued her career at the Norwegian Academy of Music and The Royal Conservatory of Brussels.  She specializes in concerts that integrate music with stories of the life of the composer.  This CD, released in March 2022, showcases the music of Agathe Backer Grøndahl, performing gems from Grøndahl’s music.  
Agathe Backer Grøndahl, born in Norway in 1843, was one of the cornerstones of Norwegian classical music’s golden age. She was a student of Franz Liszt, she performed in London and Paris with great success, and she was proclaimed one of the greatest pianists of the century by writer George Bernard Shaw. She composed more than 400 works for piano, voice, choir and orchestra, and she was a wife and a mother of three.  Agathe had a close friendship with Nina and Edvard Grieg.   She pursued a career as a pianist and composer against all odds.   

Tracks:
  1. Suite, Op. 20: I. Prélude (1887)
  2. 3 Morceaux, Op. 15: No. 1. Sérénade in F Major
  3. Études de Concert, Op. 57: No. 1. Allegretto (1903) 
  4. 11 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 30: No. 1. Brudeslaat (Lom?) 
  5. Études de Concert, Op. 57: 6 Idylles, Op. 24: No. 1. Allegretto leggiero
      (1888)
  6. 11 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 30: No. 9. Siklebækken
      (Møllargutten) 
  7. 11 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 30: No. 10. Kivlemöyerne
      (Møllargutten)
  8. 11 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 30: No. 11. Fanitullen
      (Møllargutten)
  9. Études de Concert, Op. 57: 6 Idylles, Op. 24: No. 5. Allegretto
      tranquillo
10. 6 Fantasistykker, Op. 66, "Barnlige Billeder" (Children's Pictures):
      No. 1. Ride, Ride Ranke 
11. 8 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 33: No. 3. Laat i Fjellet 
12. 3 Ungarske Studier ( 3 Hungarian Studies), Op. 38: No. 2 Intermezzo 
13. 10 Fantasistykker, op. 39: No. 1 Souvenir (1896) 
14. 8 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 33: No. 8. Bruralaat (Valdres)
15. 4 Skizzer (Sketches), Op. 19: No. 1. Allegretto Leggiero (1886) 
16. 8 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 33: No. 1. Halling 
17. 12 Smaa fantasistykker, Op. 55: No. 4. Et Farvel 
18. 8 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 33: No. 6. Springdans (Vinje) 
19. 11 Norske folkeviser og folkedanse, Op. 30: No. 5. Springdans 
20. Suite, Op. 20: II. Nocturne
21. Huldreslaat (Dance of the Huldra) (1886)
22. 12 Smaa fantasistykker, Op. 55: No. 9. Romance
23. I Blaafjellet (In the Blue Mountains), Op. 44: II. I Trollhallen (1894)
24. 6 Concert Etudes, Op. 11: No. 4 in B-flat Major (1881)