Homesickness by Edvard Grieg

Homesickness is an inevitability. The modern world is growing and tumultuous, with people shifting and moving from place to place for family or work. In Grieg’s time, however, it seems as though homesickness was felt more deeply than today. There were no ways to travel back home conveniently, and no way of making a phone call to hear a loved one’s voice like you can today. Right now, I’m a high school senior preparing for college. While I certainly expect to feel homesick, I can at least come home and visit on a weekend. This would have been difficult in Grieg’s time, particularly if you didn’t live in an urban area.

The beginning and end of this piece reflect a deep longing. The slow, melancholy melody show how people can long to go back to what is familiar. The middle part of the piece, though, sounds like a joyful reminiscence of simpler, more innocent times. This piece gives a musical voice to a universal emotion, and provides a hopeful reminder that the good ol’ days were, in fact, good.