Sørgesmarsj over Rikard Nordraak - Edvard Grieg/trans Jan Eriksen/ed Frederick Fennell

St. Amant High School Band
2024 National Band & Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall

Sørgesmarsj over Rikard Nordraak (1866/1981) Edvard Grieg/transcription by Jan Eriksen/edited by Frederick Fennell
Edvard Grieg found a warm reception for the nationalist character in his music both at home in Norway and at centers of musical culture throughout the world. His awareness of genuine Norwegian folk music or of the waiting acceptance by Norwegian nationalists of any composer whose music might fire the cause was a debt he avowedly owed to Rikard Nordraak. The two men enjoyed a fast compositional and personal friendship in early manhood.

They were in Europe in pursuit of their musical development when Nordraak died very suddenly in Berlin on 26 March 1866. Grieg was in Rome when he received this news a dozen days later. He composed the Funeral March for Rikard Nordraak for piano on that same day, 6 April 1866. The Grieg to come is very present in this personal expression of his grief.
The March was scored for brass and for military band by the composer who so treasured this music that he carried it with him on all journeys. It was played at his interment in the setting for orchestra by Jovan Halvorsen.
It is difficult to understand why this attractive and thoroughly representative music by Grieg has remained so little played, particularly by all wind groups. This transcription for the contemporary wind ensemble was made, appropriately, by the Norwegian band enthusiast and authority Jan Ericksen.