Ballade in the Form of Variations
Encyclopedia
Ballade in the Form of Variations on a Norwegian Folk Song in G minor
, Op. 24, is a large scale work by Edvard Grieg
. It is in the form of theme and variations, the theme being the Norwegian
folk song Mountain Song. A performance usually lasts over 20 minutes.
The theme is first introduced in 3/4 time. It is marked Andante espressivo. The theme is haunting and sad, and has much lyrical beauty.
The first variation marked poco meno Andante, ma molto tranquillo, introduces the harmonic chord pattern in triplets.
The second variation branches of the first and is marked allegro agitato. The time changes to 9/8. This variation requires much virtuosity, having daring jumps in the left hand. The chord patterns are the same as the first variation.
The third variation in contrast to the preceding agitato, is a calm adagio marked molto espressivo. It is a slow movement that introduces a new melody very similar to the theme, but darker. The time changes back to 3/4.
The fourth variation is a lively allegro capriccioso. It consists of brisk descending chromatic sixteenth notes, with chords in the left hand, still resembling the harmonic changes in the theme.
The fifth variation marked piu lento, is unlike the entire song. It consists of huge, but slow, arpeggios followed by a variation of the theme. This variation produces an intense feeling of sorrow and loneliness.
The sixth variation marked allegro scherzando, is a technically difficult variation based on jumping chords passing from hand to hand. Still the chord progressions are the same as the theme.
The seventh variation is the same as the sixth, but more sustained, and instead of chords, arpeggios, but still in the same fashion of passing from hand to hand.
The eighth variation is marked lento, and is another form of the theme melody played in chords.
The ninth variation is marked un poco andante, and is perhaps the most creative of the variations. It is similar to the eight, but more agitated, and doesn't have the same hypnotic flow.
The tenth variation starts the build up to the climax with an un poco allegro e alla burla tempo. It is a light scherzando section. 3/4 changes to 12/8.
The eleventh variation marked piu animato is a fast preparatory variation, still leading to the coda.
The twelfth variation is marked meno allegro e maestoso, and is a huge grand variation of con tutta forza, with massive chords and repeats the melody heard in the third variation, only in a grand major voice. The key changes to g major, and the time from 12/8 to 6/8.
The thirteenth variation is marked allegro furioso is the final buildup to the huge climax. It consists of virtuosic arpeggiated chords, and octaves flying all over the keyboard. The time and key revert to the original G minor, and 3/4.
The final variation, fourteen, is a huge prestissimo. The theme is pounded in fast octave chords, and climbs up the keyboard. Ends with a low e flat octave, marked lunga with a fermata, and lasts for almost 20 seconds.
The theme is finally closed, with a flashback of the first 8 measures, and closes with a G minor chord.
The Norwegian composer Geirr Tveitt
made an arrangement of the ballad for orchestra, which, thought to be lost for several years, was found in the early 1990s.
G minor
G minor is a minor scale based on G, consisting of the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. For the harmonic minor scale, the F is raised to F. Its relative major is B-flat major, and its parallel major is G major....
, Op. 24, is a large scale work by Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg
Edvard Hagerup Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is best known for his Piano Concerto in A minor, for his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt , and for his collection of piano miniatures Lyric Pieces.-Biography:Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born in...
. It is in the form of theme and variations, the theme being the Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
folk song Mountain Song. A performance usually lasts over 20 minutes.
The theme is first introduced in 3/4 time. It is marked Andante espressivo. The theme is haunting and sad, and has much lyrical beauty.
The first variation marked poco meno Andante, ma molto tranquillo, introduces the harmonic chord pattern in triplets.
The second variation branches of the first and is marked allegro agitato. The time changes to 9/8. This variation requires much virtuosity, having daring jumps in the left hand. The chord patterns are the same as the first variation.
The third variation in contrast to the preceding agitato, is a calm adagio marked molto espressivo. It is a slow movement that introduces a new melody very similar to the theme, but darker. The time changes back to 3/4.
The fourth variation is a lively allegro capriccioso. It consists of brisk descending chromatic sixteenth notes, with chords in the left hand, still resembling the harmonic changes in the theme.
The fifth variation marked piu lento, is unlike the entire song. It consists of huge, but slow, arpeggios followed by a variation of the theme. This variation produces an intense feeling of sorrow and loneliness.
The sixth variation marked allegro scherzando, is a technically difficult variation based on jumping chords passing from hand to hand. Still the chord progressions are the same as the theme.
The seventh variation is the same as the sixth, but more sustained, and instead of chords, arpeggios, but still in the same fashion of passing from hand to hand.
The eighth variation is marked lento, and is another form of the theme melody played in chords.
The ninth variation is marked un poco andante, and is perhaps the most creative of the variations. It is similar to the eight, but more agitated, and doesn't have the same hypnotic flow.
The tenth variation starts the build up to the climax with an un poco allegro e alla burla tempo. It is a light scherzando section. 3/4 changes to 12/8.
The eleventh variation marked piu animato is a fast preparatory variation, still leading to the coda.
The twelfth variation is marked meno allegro e maestoso, and is a huge grand variation of con tutta forza, with massive chords and repeats the melody heard in the third variation, only in a grand major voice. The key changes to g major, and the time from 12/8 to 6/8.
The thirteenth variation is marked allegro furioso is the final buildup to the huge climax. It consists of virtuosic arpeggiated chords, and octaves flying all over the keyboard. The time and key revert to the original G minor, and 3/4.
The final variation, fourteen, is a huge prestissimo. The theme is pounded in fast octave chords, and climbs up the keyboard. Ends with a low e flat octave, marked lunga with a fermata, and lasts for almost 20 seconds.
The theme is finally closed, with a flashback of the first 8 measures, and closes with a G minor chord.
The Norwegian composer Geirr Tveitt
Geirr Tveitt
Geirr Tveitt, born Nils Tveit was a Norwegian composer and pianist. Tveitt was a central figure of the national movement in Norwegian cultural life during the 1930s.-Early years:...
made an arrangement of the ballad for orchestra, which, thought to be lost for several years, was found in the early 1990s.