Edvard Grieg ： Norwegian Folk Songs No.18 Op.66-18

One of the piano miniatures in which Grieg shaped a Norwegian folk song for solo piano, No. 18 preserves the folk-like simplicity of its source while drawing out a lyrical melody and the resonant qualities of the instrument. Within its concise span, the music centers on the principal line, with changes of register and the interplay between melody and accompaniment providing points of interest. In performance, the melody should be brought clearly to the fore while the inner voices and accompaniment remain restrained and well balanced. Careful attention to the breathing of each phrase, together with an unhurried and natural treatment of decorative motion, allows both the approachable folk character and the delicate afterglow to emerge.