Agathe Backer-Grøndahl (1847-1907) was the foremost Norwegian pianist of her generation. Edvard Grieg eulogized her, saying "no artist has ever walked purer paths than she. I loved her solemn idealism. It had its unique charm. If a mimosa could sing, its sounds would be like her loveliest and tenderest music.”

Like Grieg, Grøndahl took a strong interest in the folksongs and folkdances from her native land. Norway, which was fighting for independence from foreign rule, witnessed a renaissance of homegrown culture during the second half of the 19th century, and Grøndahl's adaptations of folktunes are right at home in this cultural movement.

In these pieces you'll feel the incessant rhythmic drive of the halling (a dance with two beats per measure traditionally danced by agile young men) and the springar (a couples' dance in triple meter) along with the haunting sounds of traditional bådnlåt (lullabies).

Marjory Kennedy-Fraser (1857-1930) was a Scottish pianist, singer, and teacher who took a great interest in the revival of Celtic culture and in the preservation of folk music in the Hebrides islands. For years she travelled around the Hebridean Archipelago, recording on wax cylinders the singing of the local population. She later created her own interpretations of these songs in a style influenced by the Romantic and Impressionistic music popular on the Continent.

The 12 folksongs featured on this program represent all aspects of daily life in the Hebrides. Included among the selections are work tunes, religious songs, songs representing the fairies and sacred Druid spirits, and even a song originally sung by pirates!