How did Edvard Grieg draw on Norwegian folk music?

Edvard Grieg, a founder of the Norwegian nationalist school of music, was profoundly influenced by the folk traditions of his homeland. His interest in this heritage was sparked in 1864 through his association with the composer Rikard Nordraak, who helped Grieg understand both northern folk tunes and his own artistic nature.1

Grieg integrated these influences into his work through several methods:

• Rhythm and Harmony: His compositions are noted for spirited rhythms that often evoke folk song associations, paired with novel harmonies developed from the late Romantic style.1
• Direct Arrangements: He created specific arrangements of Norwegian dances and songs, most notably his Slåtter, Norwegian Peasant Dances (Opus 72), as well as his collections Opus 17 and Opus 66.1
• Thematic Variation: He utilized folk themes as the foundation for larger works, such as his Ballad for piano (Opus 24), which is a set of variations on a folk theme.1
• Lyrical Expression: His music is characterized by a refined lyrical sense, which he also applied to vocal works, identifying musical equivalents for the imagery found in Norwegian poetry.1