Edvard Grieg
June 15, 1843 – September 4, 1907
Edvard Grieg was a Norwegian pianist and conductor who rose to fame during a period where the German musical tradition was dominant.
His first exposure to music was from his mother, who taught him piano. Later, at only age 9, he enrolled in the Leipzig Conservatory. The school there was based on traditional German styles. Greig disliked this structure, and longed for music that reflected his Norwegian nationalistic interests. This attitude was a strong contrast to the favor that the German style held at the time.
He resettled in Copenhagen, then in Oslo, where Greig supported himself with conducting and piano lessons, positions which brought him great stature. This time produced his Piano Concerto in A minor. The piece was a huge success, and remains so today.
Greig’s most influential work evolved from a collaboration with Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen: Peer Gynt. The work was lauded for its Scandinavian character, a goal Greig had sought all his life.
Noteable works:
Piano Concerto in A minor
Peer Gynt
June 15, 1843 – September 4, 1907
Edvard Grieg was a Norwegian pianist and conductor who rose to fame during a period where the German musical tradition was dominant.
His first exposure to music was from his mother, who taught him piano. Later, at only age 9, he enrolled in the Leipzig Conservatory. The school there was based on traditional German styles. Greig disliked this structure, and longed for music that reflected his Norwegian nationalistic interests. This attitude was a strong contrast to the favor that the German style held at the time.
He resettled in Copenhagen, then in Oslo, where Greig supported himself with conducting and piano lessons, positions which brought him great stature. This time produced his Piano Concerto in A minor. The piece was a huge success, and remains so today.
Greig’s most influential work evolved from a collaboration with Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen: Peer Gynt. The work was lauded for its Scandinavian character, a goal Greig had sought all his life.
Noteable works:
Piano Concerto in A minor
Peer Gynt