Hats Off To Norway

It’s the birthday of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, one of the most important contributors to the repertoire of the Romantic Period of music.  Like Chopin did for Poland, it could be argued that Grieg put Norway “on the map” in the late 19th Century, using the commanding lyrical beauty of his music to establish his country’s national identity.

And it’s not as if Norway hasn’t done much since.  In fact, Grieg’s land is showing what real commitment to a sustainable future looks like. Its work in decarbonizing both their energy and transportation sectors, as well as their support of tropical forests all over the world, won them the 2016 Global Standard-Setter Award by the Rainforest Alliance.

The entire country has moved to urban design principles that favor walking and bicycling, and, where motor vehicles are required, they boast that 37% of all new cars and trucks sold in Norway are hybrid- or battery-electric.  Keep in mind: that’s today; it’s going to be 100% within eight years.

I happened to have had the pleasure of hearing Jean-Yves Thibaudet perform Grieg’s iconic A-minor piano concerto here in lil’ ol’ Santa Barbara a few months ago.  Here’s the first movement; I hope you’ll enjoy the treat: