Edvard Grieg was born in 1843 in Bergen, Norway and died there in 1907.

Grieg survived two life-threatening lung conditions as a teenager. As a result, his left lung and thoracic spine were permanently damaged, and his life was punctuated by bouts of ill health.

Despite his ill-health, Grieg became an accomplished pianist and started composing in earnest after moving to Copenhagen, Denmark in 1863, where he formed friendships with several composers. In 1868 Grieg composed the Piano Concerto in A minor, which would become his most famous work, and one of the most frequently performed piano concertos of all time.

Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46, is a collection of music originally written for the 1876 premiere of Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt. Anitra’s Dance was written for a scene in Act IV that takes place in Morocco. Anitra is the daughter of a Bedouin Chief, and she steals Peer Gynt’s money after he attempts to seduce her. Anitra’s Dance is placed third in the four-movement suite and features the triangle as well as pizzicato, or plucked, notes in the strings.