Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

Edvard Grieg was born in Bergen, Norway in 1843. He was surrounded by music and taught piano by his mother, but it was the violinist Ole Bull, a family friend, who persuaded the family to send the young Grieg to the Leipzig Conservatory.

There he concentrated on piano and by 1862, with his studies were complete, he performed his first concert back in his home town of Bergen.

Three years in Copenhagen saw Grieg’s skills and career develop further. It was here Grieg met Rikard Nordraak, another young Norwegian composer who championed Norwegian music. Nordraak died in 1866 but was undoubtedly a strong source of inspiration to Grieg, who composed a funeral march for his friend. Grieg went on to become Norway’s greatest composer. In 1868 he wrote his enduringly popular Piano Concerto and 1875 saw him providing the incidental music to Peer Gynt at Ibsen’s request. By 1880 he was conducting the Harmonien Orchestra in Bergen.

Grieg’s compositions are often described as nationalist, taking their inspiration from traditional Norwegian folk music. Grieg wrote many short pieces for piano and songs using lyrics penned by Norwegian writers.

He had made early recordings of his piano music in Paris in 1903 and live recording player piano music rolls also survive. Edvard Grieg died in 1907 aged 64.