Edvard Grieg and his librettist Bjurnstjerne Bjurnson were both fascinated by a great period in Norway's past: The Viking Age, whose sagas, and fierce conflicts between Christianity and the old Norse religion, inspired all three of Grieg's works recorded here. Landkjenning depicts the moment when Olav Trygvason (960s-1000) and his men sight the Norwegian coast for the first time on their voyage from England to Norway. As King from 995 to 1000, Olav worked single-mindedly to Christianize Norway. Conceived as a true Norwegian national opera, but left unfinished, the three scenes from Olav Trygvason explore pagan rituals and tributes to the Norse gods in anticipation of King Olav's entrance into the pagan temple. Includes the world premiere recording of Edmund Neupert's Resignation orchestrated by Grieg.

Tracklist:

Landkjenning (Land-Sighting), Op. 31
Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 22: IV. Norronafolket (The Northland People)
Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 22: VIII. Kongekvadet (The King's Song)
Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 22: IX. Horn Signals
Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 22: I. Innledning Til Akt I
Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 22: Intermezzo
Olav Trygvason, Op. 50: Scene 1: Skjult I De Mange Manende Navne (Though To Whom Fancy Lends Many Titles)
Olav Trygvason, Op. 50: Scene 2: Ej Er Det Nok Naevne Ved Navn (Tis Not Enough That Ye Invoke)
Olav Trygvason, Op. 50: Scene 3: Giv Alle Guder Gammens Og Gledesskal (Give To All Gods A Grace-Cup Of Gratitude)
Studier, Op.26: I. Andantino (Arr. E. Grieg For Orchestra As Resignation): Studier, Op. 26: I. Andantino (Arr. E. Grieg For Orch

UPC: 747313304578
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 11.19.13
Format: CD

G. TVEITT - Scenes from Olav Trygvason / Incidental Music (CD)