
An elegy is a lament for the dead, which of course can also be for one person who died. Does this mean that Grieg wrote this for a person, perhaps a friend or a family member? Was it that personal? Or was it more general? I suppose we will never know. But I do know it feels very personal to me.
The way this is written you see basically two sections, typical ABA form.

The B section happens twice and the A section happens three times. There is no difference in the score. But I did not play it that way. Each repeat is different. I believe it is terribly important not to assume something that is repeated is meant to be played the same just because the score is identical.
Composers never play their music that way. In fact, almost everything important is not in the score.
When I was quite young there was a book on my grandmother’s piano with selections from all the Lyric Pieces, and somehow I started playing them when I was still quite young, far before age 13. I have a particular weakness for moody, dark music. This is about as moody and dark as anything. It is very personal, but I don’t know why.
I have not yet taught it, because it would have to be a request.
It is unrealistic to expect something so gloomy to become super popular, but I personally think it is one of the best things Grieg wrote. This dark side of Grieg appears often, and it something that I think unifies the music of countries that are much farther north, with months of cold weather and short days.
The song is pretty solemn which sounds nice though I don’t particularly like the song.
Very dark and harsh, but also very full and pronounced. Fitting for the dead. Pretty nice piece overall, might get slightly repetitive as it goes in though.
This is powerful music.