Rustic. Playful. Magical.

In Autumn, Op 11
Composed by Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)
11 minutes

Edvard Grieg’s In Autumn, Op. 11, is a vivid and spirited concert overture that captures the changing moods of the season. Written in 1865 when Grieg was in his early twenties, it shows the young Norwegian composer beginning to find his distinctive voice – one that would later make him a national musical hero.

Originally conceived as a piano piece, In Autumn was later reworked for full orchestra, giving Grieg a chance to explore his gift for colourful orchestration. The music opens with the bright call of horns and woodwinds, evoking crisp autumn air and perhaps the bustle of a harvest festival. Soon, a more lyrical theme appears, suggesting the beauty and melancholy of fading light and falling leaves. Grieg contrasts these moods with lively dance rhythms and bold brass writing, painting a scene that feels both celebratory and reflective.

Listeners can already hear the qualities that would define Grieg’s later works – the influence of Norwegian folk music, the love of nature, and the ability to turn simple melodic ideas into music of emotional warmth and colour. The overture’s closing pages are exuberant and full of life, as though autumn is giving one last burst of energy before winter sets in.

While In Autumn is an early work, it is full of the freshness and imagination that would make Grieg one of the most beloved Romantic composers. It stands as a joyful celebration of nature’s cycles and a glimpse of the poetic, melodic voice that would later bloom fully in his Peer Gynt suites and Piano Concerto.

Livestreamed on Saturday 22 Nov 2025 7:30pm

PROGRAM
Grieg, In Autumn, Op 11

MUSICIANS
Conductor Eivind Aadland
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Federation Concert Hall, Nipaluna / Hobart