The Culture Club (18 March 2023)

Welcome to The Rhythm Section! The aim of this blog is to celebrate how music has shaped people’s lives over the years. Or, in the case of the Culture Club slot. centuries! How do you like a bit of classical?

Each week, I’ll present a tiny snippet from the enormous world of classical music. Usually, classical has a soothing, chilled effect, but beware: I may throw some curve balls at you! So, under that broad description of “classical”, expect anything!

The common thread, I hope, is your enjoyment.


A far more lightweight piece this week. From Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843 – 1907), From the Peer Gint suite, written in 1867 to accompany Henrik Ibsen’s play of the same name, this is Anitra’s Dance.

Okay, a tiny question for you. Post if you wish, but a simple comment will do. So, this piece was composed to accompany a play. Do you like theatre? What’s your favourite play?

36 Comments

  1. I love theatre, but I have an unrelated question. The conductor seemed quite animated, is that usual, or is that part of the performance?

    Liked by 3 people

      1. I agree with Nancy. It somewhat similar to the “schools” of performing piano; we’ve got the German school, of strict, no ” unneccessary ” movement, more classically orthodox and then there is the more free approach in form.
        I guess that for me it all boils down to the authenticity of said approach.

        Liked by 2 people

  2. This is incredible, Pete! I’ve heard this piece so many times but today I really concentrated on the concept of it being incidental music.
    There were times I could hear Tchaikovsky, other times I heard Strauss, even a little Prokofiev thrown in for good measure. It’s a classic! And Grieg was no small potatoes, either. Something like 50,000 people attended his funeral; kinda puts things in perspective.
    I’ve always been fascinated with the composers of music for plays – George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, etc. Its been a long time since I went to the theater but there’s one play (and movie) which will always be in my top 3 … West Side Story. Here’s one of my favorite scenes from WSS.
    Great post, Pete! πŸ’«

    Liked by 3 people

  3. I’m a huge theatre goer and my favorite genre of theatre are musicals because they combine singing with a storyline. I don’t have a favorite musical but my fav playwright is Shakespeare 😁

    Liked by 2 people

      1. I never got into Shakespeare, but nothing whatever to do with him. He writes in what is almost a foreign language these days, so do I want to spend time learning that language when there are so many other things to do in life?

        Liked by 1 person

  4. I have enjoyed, Pete, that you’ve gotten off the beaten path with Grieg, aka Morning Mood from Peer Gynt.

    Theatre? Yes, please. Especially, now that my wife has found one that was recently renovated in the style of classical theaters and she books a balcony booth with 4 seats only…ideal to watch with a couple of friends!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Absolutely exquisite piece. I played this for my Level 6 final exam. I never progressed beyond Level 7 though. Wasn’t talented enough to compete with those around me. Favourite theatre is Glyndebourne because of all the traditions associated with it: picnic on the lawns; welly throwing; brollies; blankets; and classical opera of course. And besides, Glyndebourne is local.

    Liked by 2 people

        1. You’re a one-woman band! I play the piano, too, and the organ but had to give up the organ after my knee replacement. It was impossible for me to move my legs fast enough to play the foot pedals 😞. I play the piano when my hands cooperate. It’s not quite the same as it once was but I try.

          Liked by 1 person

    1. What’s a good one to seek out? For a noob? I saw one once (I think it was Traviata) but found it very heavy-going. But I do like hearing excerpts of opera, so maybe something a bit fluffier would suit me better?

      Like

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