2007 marks one hundred years since the death of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. The national and international events in connection with this anniversary will highlight both his work and ideological message.
31/01/2007 :: Grieg Year 2007 will include a number of inspiring projects, concerts and seminars on this great humanist, “sampler” and composer.
The programme will draw attention on Grieg the humanist: the defender of freedom, democracy, justice and the rule of law, both through his attitudes and through his actions. He regarded art as a means of expressing identity and solidarity, and he believed artists had a key role to play in the fight against discrimination and exclusion.
Grieg’s legacy as composer and source of inspiration for new tonal images – as “sampler” of sounds – with performances by young contemporary musicians will also have an important place in the programme.
The official opening of Grieg Year 2007 took place on Saturday 27 January at a concert during the Northern Lights Festival in Tromsø. The programme included Grieg’s A minor Piano Concerto and his Four Hymns, in addition to works by a number of contemporary Norwegian composers, such as Maja Ratkje, Eivind Buene, Rolf Wallin and Nils Henrik Asheim. Queen Sonja attended the opening concert.
Grieg 07 is responsible for initiating, coordinating and implementing the Grieg Year 2007 programme. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperates with Grieg 07 on the organisation of events outside Norway.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs