Griegforeningen i Skottland – the Scottish Dimension of Edvard and Nina Grieg
Our horizon? Norway.
Our shore? Scotland.
Our world? Music.
Welcome!
Edvard & Nina Grieg
Partners in music. Partners in life. With lots to tell us in Scotland today.
Edvard Grieg – Composer (born Bergen 1843)
Nina Grieg – Singer (born Bergen 1845)
Project Monumentally Grieg! – in film
Watch our film about conservation of the gravestone of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s Scottish ancestors here. (Subtitles available. Norwegian subtitles coming soon).
The story ‘Grieg’ of the stone in film
In 2018 the Grieg Society of Scotland completed the first phase of project Monumentally Grieg! to conserve and interpret the ancestral gravestone of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg at Rathen Old Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This short film tells the story of the stone and how it was saved.
And if you like our film, you’ll love our Monumentally Grieg! 3D model – let your imagination flow, and explore it here!
Author : Dr Sally LK Garden, Mar 2019
The Society was formally constituted in October 2017 with the following founding purpose :
Founding purpose (2017)
‘ My great-grandfather was a Scot, and if my works have achieved a popularity which is incomprehensible to me, the reason is surely not only to be found in the national element, but perhaps rather in the fusion of cosmopolitan and national elements ’ – Edvard Grieg
The Grieg Society of Scotland seeks to advance understanding of the lives and extraordinary artistic legacies of composer Edvard Grieg and his wife, singer Nina Grieg, both of whom were Norwegian of Scots descent. The Society aims to excite curiosity about their musical partnership, vision and positive, optimistic belief in humanity by celebrating and commemorating their creative work, exploring their writings, and furthering knowledge of Scottish-Scandinavian cultural and historical connexions. We look to the Scottish dimension of Edvard and Nina Grieg not as an incidental fact of history, but as a living focus to bring people together – to broaden horizons, challenge perspectives, enrich our communities, and refresh, through music, our ties across the North Sea. Our mission is to inform and inspire.
The work of the Society, which is multidisciplinary, non-political, and open to all, encompasses performance and participative events, community and physical heritage projects, research and publication.
Dr Sally LK Garden
Scotland
October 2017
Our Committee
The Society is supported by a committee of dedicated volunteers chosen not only for their lifelong interest in the Grieg legacy, but for their collective knowledge and understanding of the musics, literatures, languages and histories of Norway and Scotland.
Johanne Grieg Kippenbroeck (Honorary President)
Dr Sally LK Garden (Honorary Director)
Edvard Rieber-Mohn
Kirsti M Dinnis
Eva Tyson
How to become a Member
Simply contact us here
The Grieg Society of Scotland (Griegforeningen i Skottland) was founded in 2017
Find out more about our work and our inspirations.
When Joachim Hvide Grieg and friends flew from Bergen to begin a short holiday in North East Scotland in spring 2019, little did they anticipate their few days’ trip would turn into a touching ancestral tour for Joachim. We asked our Honorary President, journalist and editor Johanne Grieg Kippenbroeck, to catch up with Joachim on …
Continue reading “The last Grieg to live at Troldhaugen – and the ‘lady who screamed’!”
The Grieg Society of Scotland played notable part in this year’s ‘Ninadag’ – Bergen’s traditional celebration of the birthday of Nina Grieg on 24 November – with a special Norwegian-Scottish concert collaboration at Troldhaugen. Hosted by Troldhaugens Venner (Friends of Troldhaugen) it brought together esteemed Norwegian pianist Audun Kayser and our Honorary Director, Dr Sally …
Continue reading “Special ‘Nina Grieg Day’ concert in the Villa at Troldhaugen”
Out and about in ‘Grieg country’, on a visit to the Parish of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, our Honorary Director made an exciting musical discovery – the existence of a musical instrument which may well have been heard by the composer Edvard Grieg’s ancestors, but whose function and manner of performance present us, today, with an intriguing …
Continue reading “‘Here lyes the remains’… visiting the ‘pits of hell’ in Grieg country”