Edvard Grieg, Unitarian

In this Mother's Day service, our lay leader, Jennie Dyster focuses on the life, philosophy and music of the Unitarian composer, Edvard Grieg and his wife, the famous soprano, Nina Grieg. Jennie describes Edvard as a man "who never lost the common touch". An inclusive humanism under girded his world view and convictions. Grieg interacted with kings, queens, kaisers and musical geniuses on the same scale of respect and enjoyment as he did with peasants, shepherds, shop-keepers, sailors, farmers and fiddlers. His life and music was concerned with speaking to, uplifting and protecting the precious human spark he recognised within each person. Grieg, the Unitarian  - was a man shaped by his quest for spirituality.
Jennie is supported musically by Margaret Lambert whose inspired playing of some of Grieg's best known music also includes the less-well-known but very beautiful "Reflections" that she uncovered whilst preparing the music for this service. Listen on to Jennie's unfolding of the story behind this remarkable Norwegian musician and Unitarian and excerpts from Margaret Lambert's musical tribute to Grieg.