Written in 1866 the day he heard his good friend and Norwegian nationalist Rikard Nordraak died, the original monument to the memory of his dear friend was composed by Edvard Grieg for piano.  One year later, Grieg arranged the work for military band, transposing it to g minor, and he so treasured this music that he carried it with him on all journeys, and the orchestra setting was played at his interment.  This transcription for the contemporary wind ensemble was made, appropriately, by the Norwegian band enthusiast and authority Jan Ericksen and edited by famed band master Frederick Fennell.