Famous Biographies

Edvard Grieg

Date/Place of Birth:      15 June, 1843 in Bergen, Norway.

Personality:      A humble, highly imaginative composer. Being a workaholic, under the influence of his admirable teacher, E.F. Wenzel, he studied music so enthusiatically and compulsively that he ruined his health. He suffered a severe attack of pleurisy – a life-long breathing problem.

Though Grieg used to travel widely, he was always homesick and it was not surprising that he was so patriotic of his homeland, Norway.

Generally, Grieg’s life was quiet and simple – travelling abroad in winter; devoting most of his time to composition in spring and summer; and walking leisurely in countryside with friends in autumn.

Piano-Playing Style:      Grieg was not extremely renowned as a concert pianist during his time, though he was always favourable and welcomed in Europe. Like Schubert, he was a capable pianist, and yet he managed to give several piano recitals of Norwegian music – mostly his own and others like Rikard Nordraak. 

Besides that, Grieg usually accompanied on the piano with his wife, Nina Hagerup, giving the premières of most of his own songs. In his old age, he made a recording of his own works.

In conclusion, he was considered as the brightest musical talent in Norway, and his playing, in my own opinion and though I have not listened to him yet, is delicate, simple and with a strong nationalistic passion.

Music:      Simplicity and nationalism are the main characteristics of Grieg’s music. It captivates the Norwegian features – solitary and peaceful nature of the country; peasant-scenes and folk culture; and the soul of Norwegian people. Because of such nationalistic character, his music is always pure, charming, graceful, lyrical and emotionally passionate, particularly his songs and miniature piano pieces.

Debussy claimed him as “Bonbons wrapped in the snow”; while Tchaikovsky warmly praised,”What warmth and passion in his melodic phrases, what teeming vitality in his harmony, what originality and beauty in the turn of his piquant and ingenious modulations and rhythms…add to all this that rarest of qualities, a perfect simplicity.”

Composing Habit:      Grieg was primarily a miniaturist – his main strength is devoted to small forms with simple plots, as shown in most of his piano pieces. Therefore, it is common that he did not compose large-scale works like symphonies, operas etc.

Grieg was often inspired by the rich cultural heritage of his beloved homeland, and he transferre such inspiration into pure, beautiful melodies. Occasionally, he added Norwegian folk songs in his compositions. Interesting chromatic harmonies and uncomplicated rhythms are among the characteristics of his compositions.

Grieg’s Quote:      ”Full of cow-pats.”
Grieg, who hated and described of the music for “In the Hall of Mountain King” from Peer Gynt Suite no. 1

“Artists like Bach and Beethoven erected churches and temples on the heights. I only wanted…to build dwellings for men in which they might feel happy and at home”
Grieg

“Suddenly a mist fell from my eyes and I knew the way I had to take.”
Grieg, on his first meeting with a young Norwegian composer, Rikard Nordraak, 1864, decided to devote his musical career to composing in the spirit of Norwegian folk music and history

Grieg’s Death:      Grieg intended to attend the prestigious Leeds Festival, but he died of unexpected heard attack on 4 September, 1907 in his homeland, Bergen, at the age of 64.