Performance Analysis Of Grieg’s Piano Sonata In E Minor OP.7

Edvard Grieg, Norway’s greatest composer, has been considered as the leading figure of Norwegian Folk Music. Piano Sonata in E Minor is the one and only piece of piano sonata that he composed throughout his life. Musical structure of this work is more traditional, but it works some of the features have been integrated into the Norwegian folk music, representing the emergence of Grieg’s unique composing techniques and personal characteristics.This article is made up of four parts. Part one is a brief biography of Grieg and introduction of Piano Sonata in E Minor’s composing background. Part two elaborates the manner of this piano sonata from the angles of its melody,rhythm, and form. These two parts lie the theoretical foundations for the following two parts, which are the emphasis of the whole article. Part three analyses the playing essentials of Piano Sonata in E Minor through touch key methods, polyphony performance and control of alternate beats. And Part four is analysis of some difficult points in playing summarized from actual playing experience of the author, in various aspects including wide sliding, half scale, and octave etc. The purpose is to bring some inspiration and help for those who are to play it in the future.