Origins

My parents often used to read a wonderful book called STOREBOKEN (The Giant Book) to my sister Ingunn Julie and I. This book from the mid-19th century, beautifully illustrated by Theodor Kittelsen, described the Golden Age of Norway and, among others, recounted the popular works and fairy tales by Asbjørnsen & Moe. We grew to learn this Giant book by heart, even to the point where we were afraid to turn the page, fully aware that hidden behind was a fearsome image.

These tales of poor country folk took us on a flight of fancy where we dreamed of little devils and underground creatures of all kinds, of kings, of princesses and trolls. This wonderful array of creatures and characters formed a world in itself where Trolls, Huldras, Nøkken and Fanden became so real. To this day, it seems to me that as long as we respect our traditions and avoid upsetting these creatures, both our worlds can exist side by side and be just as appealing. Furthermore, Henrik Ibsen claimed he even had proof these creatures did indeed exist.

Edvard Grieg and his music have also greatly contributed to creating that characteristic Norwegian individuality. As did Béla Bartok and Zoltán Kodály in Hungary, Manuel de Fallain Spain and Heitor Villa Lobos in Brazil, Grieg turned the very soul of popular music into a learned language. Through his classical compositions our traditional music has been conveyed to the whole world. Today, Grieg’s music is the essence of our Scandinavian identity. With the creation of music for the play "Peer Gynt" (Ibsen/Grieg), our folk music has been brought to light. Added to the fact that both Ibsen and Grieg had spent many years travelling in Europe, it is most likely that these journeys gave rise to a need to pay tribute to their origins. Although apparently there were serious differences of opinion at the time of these compositions, yet another story to be told), the results speak for themselves. For my album “Grieg in Blue”; immersed in the “Peer Gynt” compositions, I have tried in my own way to respect this living tradition.

* Ibsen walks slowly with a gentle
Troll in the main street of Oslo whilst the panic-stricken population flee
the giant. ( Theodor Kittelsen)