Exploring Edvard Grieg's "Morning"
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
"Morning" is one of the most famous pieces by the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). It is part of his incidental music for Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt, first performed in 1876. The music is played during Act IV, Scene 1, as the sun rises over the desert in North Africa.
Peer Gynt is a play by Henrik Ibsen about a young, boastful, and lazy Norwegian peasant who embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery and redemption. The play, inspired by a Norwegian folktale, explores themes of identity, escapism, and the consequences of one's choices, as Peer encounters various characters and situations around the world.
Grieg's "Morning" is known for its peaceful and gentle melody, often evoking a sense of calm and the beauty of nature. The original version of the piece is written in 6/8 time, giving it a flowing, lilting feel, and it primarily uses the key of E major. This Level 2 version of the piece is simplified and written in 3/4 time, making it accessible for new musicians, and it is in the key of G major. That means all the notes used are in the scale of G major.
The original version is often heard with flutes and oboes carrying the main melody, creating a light and airy texture. While it's a relatively simple and repetitive theme, its charm lies in its serene character and beautiful harmonies. Listen to the recording on the QR code to hear these instruments.
A public domain copy can be found on https://imslp.org/wiki/Peer_Gynt_Suite_No.1,_Op.46_(Grieg,_Edvard)
Download a Worksheet
Download the Music
Piano score - melody can be played by treble woodwind, guitar, strings and brass.
Listen to the play
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Questions
Answer these questions and bring them to your lesson to gain an extra gem.
What is the main purpose of "Morning" within the context of Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt?
Describe the general mood and character that Grieg's "Morning" is known to evoke.
Explain the key difference in time signature between the original version and the simplified Level 2 version of "Morning," and what effect this has.
Which specific instruments are mentioned as typically carrying the main melody in the original version of "Morning"? What kind of musical texture do they create?
What does the tempo marking "Andante" at the beginning of the simplified piece instruct a musician to do?
The dynamic marking "p" appears at the start of the simplified version. What does this symbol mean, and how should it influence the performance volume?
Beyond being part of Peer Gynt, what broader themes does Ibsen's play explore that might indirectly connect with the journey implied by "Morning"?
The simplified version of "Morning" is in the key of G major. What does being in a specific key signature like G major mean for the notes used in the piece?
How many beats are there in each measure of the simplified Level 2 version of "Morning," and how is this determined?
If you were to choose one instrument to add to play the melody in the simplified version, considering the piece's title, which would you pick and why?
Essay Questions
Discuss how Edvard Grieg's "Morning" serves as an effective piece of incidental music for the specific scene in Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt. Consider the mood, setting, and themes of the play.
Compare and contrast the original version of "Morning" with the simplified Level 2 version, focusing on their musical characteristics such as time signature, key signature, and intended audience. How do these differences impact the listener's experience?
Analyse the musical elements (tempo, dynamics, melody, instrumentation as described) that contribute to the peaceful and gentle character of "Morning." How do these elements evoke a sense of calm and the beauty of nature?
Explain the significance of the musical markings (Andante, p, 3/4 time signature) in guiding a musician's performance of the simplified "Morning." How do these instructions ensure the piece's intended character is conveyed?
Beyond its explicit connection to a sunrise, explore how "Morning" might symbolically reflect broader themes from Peer Gynt, such as journeys, beginnings, or moments of reflection in Peer's life.
Glossary of Key Terms
Andante: A tempo marking indicating a moderately slow pace, often described as "at a walking pace."
Clef (Treble Clef): A symbol placed at the beginning of the musical stave to indicate the pitch of the notes. The treble clef (or G clef) indicates where G above Middle C is located.
Composer: An individual who writes music.
Dynamics: Markings in musical notation that indicate the relative loudness or softness of the music.
Incidental Music: Music composed to be performed as part of a play, film, or other dramatic presentation.
Key (Key Signature): A set of sharp or flat symbols placed at the beginning of the staff, indicating the notes that are raised or lowered from their natural pitch in a given scale. It defines the central note and scale of a piece.
Measure (Bar): A segment of time corresponding to a specific number of beats, indicated by bar lines on the musical staff.
Melody: A sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying; the main tune of a piece.
Oboe: A woodwind instrument with a double reed, known for its clear, reedy, and often expressive tone.
Octave: The interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. Notes an octave apart have the same letter name.
"p" (Piano): A dynamic marking indicating that the music should be played softly or quietly.
Peer Gynt: A five-act dramatic poem by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, for which Grieg composed incidental music.
Staff (Stave): The set of five horizontal lines and four spaces on which musical notes are written.
Tempo: The speed at which a piece of music is played or sung.
Texture: In music, the way the melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic materials are combined in a composition, determining the overall quality of the sound.
Time Signature: A musical notation indicating the number of beats per measure (top number) and the type of note that receives one beat (bottom number). Examples include 3/4 (three quarter notes per measure) and 6/8 (six eighth notes per measure).
