Album Notes

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) is the greatest and most famous composer Norway has ever fostered. Throughout his entire life he sought deep into the spirit of the Norwegian people, the unique Norwegian nature and the folk music of rural Norway. His major goal was to create music that would give the Norwegian people an identity. In 2007 we celebrate his 100 anniversary.

The pianist Knut Erik Jensen was born in Hell (outside Trondheim) in 1981 and was raised in Selbu, Norway. Knut Erik recently graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Trondheim with a Bachelor degree in the performing art of classical piano. From 2007 he’s a master student at the same place with the famous pianist Håvard Gimse as his teacher. He’s also working as a freelance pianist performing in a wide range of musical areas including chamber music, operas and a number of solo recitals. The 17th of May 2006, he performed Grieg’s most famous piece; the Concerto in A minor for piano and orchestra with the Symphony Orchestra in Kristiansund.

The CD focus on Grieg’s musical development from he was a student in Leipzig up to his latest pieces from the early 1900’s, which inspired famous composers like Maurice Ravel. Knut Erik plays a rich variety of examples showing a great selection of Edvard Grieg's music and inspiration from his entire career.