ABSTRACT
Bjornstjerne Bjornson was a tidal force in the history of Norwegian literature, culture, and politics. He felt his great purpose was to be poet and prophet, political leader, proseletizer, and gadfly. Bjornson was an immensely popular orator, exhorting the Norwegian people to cast off all foreign influence in language, culture, and politics. As a political leader he was instrumental in the founding of the Left Party, one of the first of the modern Norwegian political parties. With few words Bjornson frames the picture of an adolescent girl, emotional and isolated, watching the sunset, listening to the melancholy sound of a horn played by a little boy. Edvard Grieg’s setting is true to the spareness and simplicity of the poem. Free of flourish and melodrama, the harmony and melody are reminiscent of folk music.
