March of the Trolls: Timpani
By Edvard Grieg / arr. Brian Beck
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0014590_TMP
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Description
Edvard Grieg (1843--1907) is best known for his eternally popular Piano Concerto in A Minor, as well as more than 150 songs and 66 lyric pieces. March of the Trolls is from his Lyric Pieces, Op. 54. Trolls are a constant theme in Norwegian folklore and can be viewed as the equivalent of our "boogie man." Far to the north in Norway where the winter storms whip the weather-beaten coasts, you will find dark forests with moonlit lakes, deep fjords surrounded by mighty snowcapped mountains, and long rivers and cold streams cascading down the mountain sides. This is where you might find the irritable, short-tempered trolls coming out of their hiding places after sunset, marching to wreck havoc on unsuspecting Norwegian households. Wait and see what your audience will do when the Trolls march up and down the aisles of your next concert! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud. (3:48)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, March of the Trolls: Timpani comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
246
SKU:
00-PC-0014590_TMP
More about this title
About the Composer: Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) shaped the sound of Norwegian national music through his deep connection to folk traditions and the dramatic landscape of his homeland. His gift for melody and harmonic innovation made him one of the most performed composers of the Romantic era, yet he remained deeply rooted in the musical identity of Norway rather than seeking validation in European concert halls.
Grieg's Lyric Pieces, written across four decades, represent his most intimate compositional voice. These short character works capture Norwegian nature, folklore, and emotion with remarkable economy and color. March of the Trolls, from Op. 54, exemplifies his ability to transform a simple narrative (trolls marauding through the winter night) into music that is both dramatically vivid and structurally clear.
Why we love this
Brian Beck's arrangement captures the dark mischief and rhythmic drive of Grieg's original while giving your band a piece that builds genuine audience energy. The orchestration stays true to the character of the source material; you get real dramatic payoff without sacrificing the lyrical voice that made the Lyric Pieces endure. At Grade 3, it's accessible enough to nail in a reasonable rehearsal timeline but sophisticated enough that audiences recognize the masterwork.
What to expect
The music conjures a nocturnal journey through Norwegian winter. Restless rhythms and minor-key shadows give way to moments of almost comical impudence, as if the trolls are dancing closer with each phrase. The orchestration glints with folk-like simplicity, yet the harmonic language is sophisticated enough to keep musicians engaged.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the intermediate level who want a crowd-pleasing encore or a program opener with personality. Directors seeking a Romantic-era masterwork that doesn't require years of rehearsal will find a reliable vehicle here.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the marcato articulation in the main theme to give the trolls their sprightly, mischievous character. This isn't a heavy march; it's creatures scurrying about with purpose.
- Balance the melody across sections so the tune remains clear even when it moves between upper and lower voices. The audience needs to follow the troll story.
- Let the tempo breathe slightly in transition passages, but snap back to time once the main material returns. This gives shape without losing momentum.
- The final section builds on repetition and layering; make sure each instrumental layer sits cleanly so the texture grows intelligible rather than muddy.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a concert opener or an encore when you need something with narrative pull and audience appeal. Its moderate length (3:48) fits well alongside longer works in a mixed-genre program, and the Scandinavian flavor pairs naturally with other folk-inspired or character pieces.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing marcato and staccato articulations clearly
- Tracking melody as it passes between instrumental sections
- Balancing lyrical phrasing with driving rhythmic pulse
- Creating textural clarity through controlled layering of parts
- Interpreting character and narrative through musical detail