Edvard Grieg
Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born on June 15, 1843, in Bergen, Norway, into a musical family. His mother, Gesine Judithe Hagerup, was a music teacher and his first piano instructor. At the age of 15, Grieg was encouraged by the renowned violinist Ole Bull to pursue formal music education at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied piano under Ignaz Moscheles. Despite his struggles with the discipline of the conservatory, he was influenced by the traditions of Mendelssohn and Schumann.
Grieg's health was compromised early in life due to severe lung diseases, which left him with a damaged left lung and recurring respiratory issues. Nevertheless, he became a prominent figure in the Romantic era, known for integrating Norwegian folk music into his compositions and contributing to the development of a national identity in Norway.
In 1864, Grieg co-founded the Copenhagen concert society, Euterpe, and married his cousin, Nina Hagerup, in 1867. His music, characterized by lyrical melodies and innovative harmonies, includes notable works such as the "Piano Concerto in A Minor," "Peer Gynt," and "Lyric Pieces." Grieg's compositions were celebrated by contemporaries, including Franz Liszt, who admired his piano concerto.
Grieg spent much of his life in Bergen, where he built his home, Troldhaugen, in 1885. Despite his poor health, he toured extensively across Scandinavia, Europe, and England, where he performed his piano concerto in 1888. Edvard Grieg passed away on September 4, 1907, in Bergen, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence Norwegian culture and classical music worldwide.
