Video: "Erotik" (Erotic Piece) by Grieg

[matterintospirit]

https://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/HalFreedman

[rachfan]

Hi matter,

First let me say you give a wonderful performance of this Grieg character piece.  Probably one of the finer ones I've heard over the years.  It would be difficult to improve upon it in my opinion.

This music of Grieg is probably more influenced by the Romantic Age more so than the Late Romantic period.  Thus, Grieg's concept of the erotic seems restrained, contained, in good form, and never too revealing.  Perhaps it's even a bit Victorian--the age of innocence.  A couple of decades later the late romantics gave us those lush, sensuous, passionate and surging melodies which were more intense and ravishing overall.  Nonetheless, allowing for the era, Grieg's composition is still a lovely one to hear. Probably back then the ladies listening in the great music salons of the day had to produce their fans when this piece was played.  

Again, I believe your rendition is splendid and serves Grieg well.

David  

[matterintospirit]

Hi David,
   Thanks for the feedback and I'm really glad you enjoyed my rendition.
   Yes, I feel that the music is very subtle and has a tenderness sensuality to it that we don't offen hear in performance, which always seems to beg the question: Well, why is the piece named "Erotik"--- what the hell is erotic about it??" The quality it does have would have alluded the Victorians, they would have missed the point. Although it is hard to miss that "musical orgasm" in the middle of the piece! It reminds me of a very mini version of the instrumental 'Love/Death" from "Tristan und Isolde." ( I don't think Grieg was a "salon" person or a Victorian!!)  That's my point.