Originally called "" (The well-wishers are coming), it was written in 1896 as a memorial of the 25th wedding anniversary of Grieg and his wife
Nina. The anniversary celebration had been held in the
Fossli Hotel near the
Vøringfossen waterfall in June 1896. Grieg and his wife celebrated their wedding anniversary with Børre and Nancy Giertsen. Nancy was the sister of Marie Beyer, then married to
Frants Beyer, Grieg's best friend. She belonged to their closest circle of friends at
Troldhaugen. During the occasion a guest book was ready to take contributions from all the guests. Grieg gave the work its final title in 1897 when he compiled Book VIII, Op. 65, of his
Lyric Pieces. The work's festive march-like first section, describes congratulations and best wishes that are given by the guests to the couple; the second section is reflective and subdued. Most performances of this piece take about 5 to 6 minutes. ==References==