Edvard Grieg

Landkjenning op. 31

Land-Sighting, Opus 31, was composed by Edvard Grieg in 1872 to a text by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. It premiered at Akershus Fortress on May 17, 1872, as part of a fundraising event for the restoration of Nidaros Cathedral. The work was originally written for baritone, male choir, and orchestra, and was first published in 1881.

This arrangement was originally written for the Royal Norwegian Air Force Band for use in outdoor concerts but is here scored for full band instrumentation. Grieg's choral part is assigned to trombones and euphonium, while the tenor solo is, naturally, given to the euphonium. The instrumentation is robust, yet still playable without some parts, which is indicated in the score. Cues are included throughout to allow each ensemble to adjust the "robustness" as needed, while still ensuring the melody comes through.

As it was intended for outdoor performance, the percussion is written in a traditional "march style" (snare drum, cymbals, and bass drum—none of which were in Grieg's original score), but the original timpani part is also included.