A morning concert in Dundee’s Wighton Heritage Centre caught the ear of Grieg Society of Scotland committee member, Eva Tyson, who went along to discover her historical compatriot, composer Edvard Grieg, there, in spirit and song!
I was lucky enough to be present at a morning concert held in the Wighton Heritage Centre in Dundee on Saturday 20th July 2024. Sally, our esteemed Honorary Director, gave a recital entitled Songs & Springs from Scotland and Scandinavia ably accompanied on the piano by her sister Alison Hart.
Norwegian and Scottish composers
Sally had chosen an inspiring selection of songs by Norwegian and Scottish composers showing not only the grace, but also the sheer artistry of both the music and the lyrics.
The opening song by Robert Burns Afton Water, set to music by the Norwegian composer Agathe Backer-Grøndahl, was beautifully rendered by Sally. The song På Norges nøgne fjelde (On Norway’s bare mountains) with music by Grieg, was particularly expressive, conveying the feeling of a lonely pine tree, high up in the Norwegian mountains in winter, longing for warmer climes.
Fiddle fun
Sally showed that she is not only a noted mezzo-soprano, but a gifted fiddle player. She had chosen to play a Norwegian folkdance called a springar and also a special bruremarsj. We could detect the similarity with a Scottish reel and it certainly set the audience’s feet tapping.
North Sea songs and threads
The kindred nature of Scottish and Norwegian songs with their narrative story telling traditions, is close to Sally’s heart. Through her imaginative choice of programme, beautifully supported by Alison, and with a little chat and story for the attentive audience, she wove for us a rich musical tapestry that binds the two countries together.
(More about the Wighton Heritage Centre, Dundee here, and the performers here.)
Author: Eva Tyson (Committee Member, Grieg Society of Scotland) (Aug 2024)