He has placed these lines of his own on the first page of the score of the "Norse" (which is dedicated to Grieg): "Night had fallen on a day of deeds.
The great rafters in the red-ribbed hall Flashed crimson in the fitful flame Of smouldering logs; And from the stealthy shadows That crept 'round Harald's throne Rang out a Skald's strong voice With tales of battles won: Of Gudrun's love And Sigurd, Siegmund's son." Here, evidently, is a subject after his own heart, presenting such opportunities as he is at his happiest in improving--and he has improved them magnificently.

The spaciousness of the plan, the boldness of the drawing, the fulness and intensity of the colour scheme, engage one's attention at the start.

He has indulged almost to its extreme limits his predilection for extended chord formations and for phrases of heroic span--as in, for example, almost the whole of the first movement.

The pervading quality of the musical thought is of a resistless and passionate virility.

It is steeped in the barbaric and splendid atmosphere of the sagas.