Both of Grieg's Two Melodies (1891) for string orchestra are arrangements of songs by the composer. "Norwegian" is adapted from The Goal (1880), the last of the Songs to Poems by A. O. Vinje, Op. 33. "The First Meeting" is an adaptation of the same-titled song, originally part of Four Songs from Bjornson's "The Fisher Lass", Op. 21 (1870 - 73). Though neither of the Melodies actually quotes folk sources, a Norwegian folk flavor is at once evident. "Norwegian" is rustic and outdoorsy; "The First Meeting" is slower, more restrained, and very pretty.

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