Pianist Daniel Gortler's recent recording of Edvard Grieg's "Lyric Pieces"

 

Edvard Grieg's "Lyric Pieces" for piano were written between 1867 and 1901, the sixty-six pieces published in ten books. Somewhat suggestive of Robert Schumann's piano cycles (but without their feverish intensity) they reflect Grieg's rich world of fantasy, of empathy and also the folk music of his native Norway. Indeed, Grieg has imbued these Romantic miniatures with an aura and pianistic approach that are uniquely his. American-Israeli pianist Daniel Gortler recently recorded a selection of the pieces, the line-up of which being of his own choosing and not conforming to the order in which they were written.

 

Gortler addresses the melodic shaping, the ample realm of changing harmonies and the essence of each musical vignette with insight and conviction. Enlisting his signature sensitive pianistic touch and whistle-clean finger dexterity, the artist probes the many mood pieces - "Arietta" Op.12/3, "Berceuse" Op.38/1, for example; they emerge lyrical, introspective, wistful and highly personal in character. In his reading of "Vanished Days" Op.57/1, Gortler's playing is rich in textural and emotional content, nostalgic and so very touching. Then there are pieces evoking the world of nature - the vivid, effervescent, many-directional movement of water in "Brooklet" Op. 62/4, the descriptive fluttering of tiny wings in "Butterfly" Op.43/1 ending in the blink of any eye,  little hops of the endearing "Little Bird" Op.43/4, the piece's quirky ornaments produced with meticulous precision. In "To the Spring", Gortler conveys Grieg's sense of wonder and joy inspired by the arrival of spring. As to items describing the day's end, Notturno Op.54/4, with its chromatic moments, reflects some waves of unrest, compared to the composer's sense of peace, tranquillity and intimacy in "Summer's Eve" Op.71/2. We are reminded of Grieg's folk heritage, here and there in  glimpses, but more specifically in "Norwegian Dance" Op.47/4, its drone and modal melody evoking the character of the early fiddle, and in the appealing simplicity of the "Peasant's Song". The whimsical "March of the Dwarfs" (Trolls), conjures up the boisterous imaginary inhabitants of the Jotunheimen mountains. Bristling with mischief, precise fingerwork and the effects of strategic timing, Gortler's performance of "Puck" Op.71/3 reminds us that the fairy world is not all goodness and generosity. (In Scandinavia, Puck is portrayed as a Norse demon, indeed, sometimes associated with the devil.) Not only did Schumann write a piano piece entitled "Gade", his third piano trio was also dedicated to Niels Wilhelm Gade, a close family friend. Grieg, in the "Lyric Pieces" pays tribute to the same Danish composer/conductor, who had been a major influence on him in his early years. "Gade" Op.57/2 is a light-hearted, spirited piece.

 

A true master of the miniature, Daniel Gortler captures the moods and characterization, the Nordic flavour, the fairytale magic, the nature scenes and, above all, the refined emotions expressed in the "Lyric Pieces" heard in this recording. Offering rich and subtle expression to Grieg's “poetic diary”, his playing is delicate, polished and transparent, inviting the composer's character and personality to shine through the content of each small, finely-formed musical sketch. 

 

Grieg "Lyric Pieces" (Prospero Classical) was recorded (2021, 2022) at the Jerusalem Music Centre on a Steinway grand piano. Daniel Gortler is a Steinway artist.

Daniel Gortler (www.schubertiade.co.il)