In the hall of the mountain king
The simple theme begins slowly and quietly in the lowest registers of the orchestra. It is played first by the bassoons, signifying Peer Gynt’s slow, careful footsteps. After being recited, the same theme is echoed, but transposed up a perfect fifth (to the key of F-sharp minor, the dominant key) and played on different instruments: these are the King’s trolls. The two groups of instruments then move in and out of different octaves until eventually “colliding” with each other at the same pitch; and the trolls, having spotted Peer, give chase. The tempo appropriately speeds up, and the music itself becomes increasingly louder and more melodic. (via)
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John Pierce