After Henrik Ibsen obtained sensational feedback for his verse drama “Peer Gynt”, he decided to arrange the text for stage performances as well. He requested incidental music from Edvard Grieg, who immediately assured Ibsen of his cooperation. In its new version, Peer Gynt was given its first performance in February 1876 and also scored a tremendous success.

After a further revision of his music, Grieg compiled four of the most striking pieces into an orchestral suite in 1888, and repeated t...