Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 and 2, Op. 46 and Op. 55
Edvard Grieg
Work background
Researched classical background
Grieg first wrote incidental music for Ibsen's play Peer Gynt, then selected movements for two orchestral suites. The concert order creates a different experience from the full drama: contrasting landscapes, dances, and character scenes sit next to one another without the play's dialogue. Familiar movements such as Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King are parts of this larger theatrical source.
Inspiration and creative background
Ibsen commissioned music for his play Peer Gynt; the suites draw on that theatrical score.
Music from Peer Gynt - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Source document
Scholarly preface: suite assembly, first-suite publication in 1888, second-suite completion in 1891 and revision/publication in 1893. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Compare the suites' contrasting scenes and remember that the concert sequence differs from their original dramatic order.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1888; 1891-1893 (suite assembly and revisions)
Suite No. 1 was prepared and published in 1888; Suite No. 2 was completed in 1891, published in 1893 and revised that year. These dates do not date the original incidental music.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Date, title and version notes
The incidental music, Op. 23, and the later suites have different scopes and dates.
Music from Peer Gynt - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Source document
Scholarly preface: suite assembly, first-suite publication in 1888, second-suite completion in 1891 and revision/publication in 1893. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Music from Peer Gynt - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Source document
Scholarly preface: suite assembly, first-suite publication in 1888, second-suite completion in 1891 and revision/publication in 1893. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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