Grieg – Arabian Dance (Peer Gynt Suite No.2) (1876)

Edvard Grieg’s “Arabian Dance” is a piece of incidental music from his Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55, specifically composed for Henrik Ibsen’s play. Written in 1874-75, it features a distinct, rhythmic style utilizing two piccolos to imitate the Middle Eastern ney flute. It is characterized by its exotic, orientalist sound within the classical suite.

Key Details About Grieg’s “Arabian Dance”

• Context: It is the second movement of the Peer Gynt Suite No. 2 (Opus 55).
• Instrumentation: The piece is known for using piccolos to imitate the ney, a Middle Eastern flute.
• Origin: The music was originally written as part of the incidental music for the premiere of Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt.
• Style: It is an example of 19th-century musical orientalism, featuring a fast, dance-like rhythm.
• Common Associations: While often associated with the Peer Gynt suite, it should not be confused with the “Arabian Dance” from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.