Edvard Grieg

Edvard Grieg (15 June 1843 – 4 September 1907) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is widely considered one of the leading Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide. His use of Norwegian folk music in his own compositions brought the music of Norway to fame, as well as helping to develop a national identity, much as Jean Sibelius did in Finland and Bed?ich Smetana in Bohemia.

Grieg was born in Bergen, Norway, into a musical family. His father, Alexander Grieg, was a Scottish-born merchant who played the violin, and his mother, Gesine Hagerup, was a pianist. Grieg began studying the piano at the age of six, and he showed a natural talent for music.

In 1858, Grieg entered the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied composition with Niels Gade. After graduating from the conservatory in 1862, Grieg traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he met the Danish composer J. P. E. Hartmann. Hartmann encouraged Grieg to continue composing in the Norwegian folk music tradition.

In 1864, Grieg returned to Norway, and he began to establish himself as a composer. He wrote a number of songs and piano pieces, and he also began to compose orchestral music. In 1867, Grieg married his first cousin, Nina Hagerup, a lyric soprano. The couple had one child, Alexandra, who died in infancy.

In 1869, Grieg was appointed conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. He held this position for two years, and during this time he wrote his first symphony. In 1871, Grieg resigned from his position as conductor and moved to the town of Troldhaugen, near Bergen. Troldhaugen became Grieg's home for the rest of his life, and he composed many of his most famous works there.

Grieg's music is characterized by its use of Norwegian folk music, its lyrical melodies, and its rich harmonies. His most famous works include the Piano Concerto in A minor, the Peer Gynt Suite, and the Lyric Pieces for piano. Grieg was a major figure in the Norwegian nationalist movement, and his music helped to raise the international profile of Norwegian culture. He died in Bergen in 1907 at the age of 64.

Grieg's music is still performed today, and he is considered one of the most important composers of the Romantic era. His music is a valuable contribution to the Western classical music tradition, and it continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.