In the works of art, the features of the mentality are preserved, the culture of the people, the representative of which is the author of the masterpiece, is reflected. The same applies to musical art. The composer's work is influenced by the geography of the area, climate, life and life of people, folk tunes, legends, and traditions. Seen and heard is passed through the soul of a genius, and the world receives new symphonies, cantatas, plays, and other immortal creations.
Distinctive features are the music of Scandinavia. Composers of northern Europe, having studied the world musical heritage, created a unique rhythmic beat. One of the most famous Scandinavian composers is Edward Grieg. Biography, a summary of the life and work of a genius are presented in this article.
Childhood
The future composer was born on June 15, 1843 in the provincial Norwegian town of Bergen. The boy’s father Alexander Grig worked at the British consulate, and Gesin’s mother Grig (Hagerup) played the piano.
Little Edward studied music from the age of six. The first teacher was mom. The child showed musical abilities, but there was no talk of serious music lessons yet.
Once a family friend arrived at the Griegs - the then-famous violinist and composer Ulle Bull. Hearing Edward play music, Bull advised his parents to send the guy to the Leipzig Conservatory. The musician already understood what fame Edward Grieg would gain: a biography (a summary of which is presented in this article), as well as his works created over the years, will become the property of the whole world.
Student
Years of study brought not only joy, but also disappointment. Grieg took lessons from prominent music educators Ernst Wentzel and Ignaz Mosheles. The musicians were happy to reveal the secrets of their skills to students, but the requirements for young talents were high.
Like other students, Grieg rehearsed from morning to evening, interrupting just to eat. The loads were unbearable, and in 1860 the young man became seriously ill. Due to illness, classes had to be interrupted and returned to relatives. Edward Grieg, whose biography (summary) will subsequently be studied in music schools, would not have taken place as a composer, if not for the help of his relatives.
The fight against the disease was not easy, but thanks to careful care, the young man stood on his feet. Parents wanted their son to stay at home, but the guy returned to Leipzig and continued his studies.
Upon completion of training, Edward received a diploma in pianist and composer. The graduate offered miniatures of his own composition, which were highly appreciated by both professionals and music lovers, to the attention of the public and faculty.
Music society
After graduating from the conservatory, Edward Grieg returned to his homeland. The young composer and pianist was interested in national culture, and he got excited about the idea of ​​creating the original music of Scandinavia.
With a group of like-minded people, Edward organizes a music society whose members write, perform and promote their works. During this period, Grieg composed the piano sonata, sonata for violin and piano, romances, overture “Autumn” and “Humoresques”.
The composer's talent is highly appreciated by contemporaries. After some time, Edward Grieg, whose biography (brief summary) includes personal relationships, becomes a family man. Beloved wife Nina Hagerup takes part in concerts, performs her husband’s romances.
The biography of Edward Grieg (summary) would be incomplete without a description of the composer's educational activities. After moving to Oslo, Grieg begins to create a music educational institution in Norway, the Music Society. The composer is supported by writers, public figures, other representatives of the intelligentsia. As a result of cooperation with B. Bjørnson, musical dramas appeared on the Scandinavian epic “Edda”. Also during this period, a piano concert and lyric plays were written.
World fame
Edward Grieg soon became famous outside of Scandinavia. A large role in this was played by F. Liszt. The state granted Grieg a lifetime scholarship, which allowed the composer to return to his hometown and devote himself to creativity.
Edward travels a lot, studies the life of Norwegian peasants, enjoys the beauties of nature. The impressions received are reflected in one of the most famous works - the Per Gynt suite.
The peak of Edward Grieg's fame is the 80s and 90s of the century before last. He is invited to perform in Denmark, Germany, Holland, England and other European countries. In 1889, Grieg became a member of the French Academy of Fine Arts, and in 1893 - an honorary doctor of the University of Cambridge.
At home, the composer is engaged in social activities: organizes a festival of Norwegian music (held today), takes an interest in the work of concert and choral societies, writes essays and articles about the work of colleagues, publishes collections of folk songs and dances. That was Edward Grieg. A brief biography of the composer is known not only to musicians, but the works created by Grieg have replenished the foundation of classical music.
During his life, the composer was friends with P.I. Tchaikovsky, dreamed of going to Russia, giving concerts in England, but the disease disrupted creative plans. The composer died on September 4, 1907. Later, a memorial house-museum was opened at Villa Trollhaugen, where the last years of genius have passed.