Einar Røttingen: Establishing a Norwegian Piano Tradition

Field of study: Performance Practice

The basis for this dissertation is three Norwegian piano works:

• Edvard Grieg's Ballade op. 24
• Geirr Tveitt's Sonata no. 29 op. 129
• Fartein Valen's Sonata no. 2 op. 38

The dissertation includes a main text, a recording and a critical/practical edition of Valen’s Sonata no.2 op.38. By using a musicological/analytical and artistic approach, this dissertation aims to create a greater understanding of these three works as a part of a Norwegian and continental European piano tradition. The main text investigates the contents of the music and how the works are built. It looks at the performance indications in the score and performance practice traditions (historical recordings). References and allusions to other works in the same genres and to similar piano styles are discussed. By looking at possible autobiographical and metaphorical allusions, the dissertation aims at finding an understanding of the works’ origin and meaning. The critical and practical edition contributes for the first time to correct errors and unclear readings of the existing edition and presents a possible realization of Valen’s incomplete score. The main text also includes general criteria for the interpretative choices on the CD.

The dissertation

Title: Etableringen av en norsk klavertradisjon: Interpretative trekk ved Edvard Griegs Ballade op. 24, Geirr Tveitts Sonate nr. 29 op. 129 og Fartein Valens Sonate nr. 2 op. 38.

The dissertation is a monograph with two attachments: a recording and a critical/practical edition. It is available in from NMH's library. The dissertation is not available digitally.

The dissertation is written in Norwegian.